liARAMATrC WORKS OF ROBERT MARSHAI 



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PR 6025 
.fl67 R6 
1910 




ROYAL 
FAMILY 



A Comedy of Romance in Three Acts 



BY 



ROBERT MARSHALL 



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A ROYAL FAMILY 



BY ROBERT MARSHALL 

SHADES OF NIGHT. Cxi. 
A WIRE ENTANGLEMENT, (yd. 
A ROYAL FAMILY. 1.9. 6rf. 
THE DUKE OF KILLIECRANKIE. Is. Qd. 
HIS EXCELLENCY THE GOVERNOR. Is. ^. 
THE SECOND IN COMMAND. Is. Gd. 



SAMUEL FRENCH, Ltd., 
26, Southampton Street, 
Strand, London. 

All Captain Marshall's other plays may be liaci in manu- 
script form for amateur performances from Messrs. Samuel 
French. 



A ROYAL FAMILY 

A COMEDY OF ROMANCE 
IN THREE ACTS 



By 
ROBERT MARSHALL 



Copyright, 1910, by Samuel French, Limited 



New York i London 

SAMUEL FRENCH '• SAMUEL FRENCH Ltd 

Publisher j 26 Southampton Street 

28-30 WEST 38TH STREET i STRAND 






GI.D ^2845 



A ROYAL FAMILY 

First produced at the Court Theatre on the 14th of October, 
1899, under the Management of Messrs, Arthur Chudleigh 
and Dion Boucicault, with the following cast : — 

Louis VII, King of Arcacia . . Mr. Eric Lewis. 

Prince Charles Ferdinand, his 
only son, a boy of seven . . Master Denny. 

Prince Victor Constantine, 
Crown Prince of Kurland . . Mr. Paul Arthur. 

The Duke of Berascon, A.D.C. 

to the King Mr. James Erskine. 

The Count Verensa, Prime 

Minister of Arcacia .... Mr. Patterson. 

Baron Holdensen, Chief Com- 
missioner of PoUce .... Mr. Aubrey Fitzgerald. 

The Cardinal Casano, Cardinal 

Archbishop of Caron . . . Mr. Dion Boucicault. 

Father Anselm, his secretary . . Mr. Marsh Allen. 

Queen Margaret, Queen-Con- 
sort of Arcacia ..... Miss Ada Branson. 

The Queen Ferdinand, mother 

of King Louis Mrs. Charles Calvert. 

Princess Angela, only daughter 

of King Louis Miss Gertrude Elliot. 

The Countess Carini, Lady-in- 

Waiting Miss Mabel Hackney 

Lords, Ladies, Ambassadors, x^.D.C.'s, Officers, Servants. 

Period. — The Present Day. 

The Action takes place in Arcacia, of which Caron is the 
capital. Arcacia and the adjoining country of Kurland are 
important European Pomers. 

> 



All applications for the performance of this play, 
both by professional and amateur compai;iies, must 
be made to the sole agents : — 

Messrs. SAMUEL FRENCH, Ltd., 
2(), Southampton Street, 
Strand, London. 

The Amateur Fee is Five Guineas for each and 
every representation. This Fee must be paid in 
advance and a written authority obtained before any 
performance is given. 

All the costumes and wigs used in A Royal Family 
may be hired or purchased reasonably from Messrs. 
C. H. Fox, Ltd., 27, WelHngton Street, Strand, 
London. The scenery may also be arranged with 
this Arm. 



SCENERY 



ACT I. 



Scene. — Caron, Capital of Arcacia. An Ante-Room in 
THE Royal Palace. 

Ten days elapse. 



ACT II. 

Scene. — Cassantra. A Glade in the Palace Gardens. 

One day elapses. 

ACT III. 

Scene 1. — Caron. The Armoury of the Royal Palace, 
Scene 2. — The Throne-Room of the Royal Palace 

Period. — The Present Day. 



A ROYAL FAMILY 

ACT I. 

Scene. — An ante-room of the Royal Palace at Caron, 
capital of Arcacia, Louis Quinze decorations. Roof 
and floor polished oak. Ormolu ynirrors, tables, 
clocks, etc. Three French windows al hack open on 
to a balcony with flowering plants. Foldiyig -doors 
up stage l. and door l. Passage screened by curtains 
R. Ceiling decorated with Royal Arms in raised gilt 
work. A writing-table l. c, a couch r. c, table r. 
Some bronze statuary. White china howls homing 
blue flowzrs decorate the room. Books, journals, etc., 
lying about. The room looks lived in. It is about 
11 a.m. on a June morning. 

As the curtain rises, three A.D.C.'s in brilliant 
cavalry un'forms, orders, aiguillettes, etc., are dis- 
posed about the room. One looking out of wiridow 
R. c, two reading journals at settee r. c. and table 
L. c. Bugles sound without and the yioise of troops 
forming in the courtyard is heard. " Halt ! Front ! 
Order Arms ! Stand-at-ease I Stand Easy ! " Foot- 
men open doors, and the Duke of Berascon enters 
L. u. E. 



10 A ROYAL FAMILY. [Act L 

Duke, {crossing to c.) Good-morn'ng, you re- 
splendent warriors ! 

1st A.D.C. {at tvindow r. c.) The Guar«i is 
ready to receive the King. 

Duke. Eh ? Oh ! ah ! yes, of course— this is 
Tuesday. Has any one reminded his Majesty ? 

2nd A.D.C. He expressly gave orders himself, 
that he would receive the royal salute once a week, 
on Tuesdays, so 1 presum? he remsmbers. 

Duke. It doesn't at all follow. Kings' memories 
can't stand the strain of trifling details. We're paid 
to supply that sort of deficiency. 

(1st A.D.C. crosses and joins 3rd at table.) 

2nd A.D.C. Then hadn't you better let him 
know ? 

Duke. I ! Am I in waiting ? I thought my 
tour of duty began to-morrow. 

2nd A.D.C. No, my dear Berascon, to-day. 

Duke. Good heavens ! Why did no one tell me ? 

(1st A.D.C. goes r. 2nd go3s roujid hack of settee to 
R. c. Duke crosses to c. again. All facing l. 
holding busbies in l. hand.) 

2nd A.D.C. We thought it might seem an imper- 
tinence to jog even a vicariously royal memory. 

Duke. {going to folding -doors) It's extremely 
awkward, but he must be toM. I devoutly hope he 
may be dressed, {listens at door i.. i. ^. — pause) I'm 



Act I.] A ROYAL FAMILY. U 

afraid he's coming here. That means he's annoyed. 
Gentlemen ! 

(All form up across c.) 

{Enter l., 1st e the King of Arcacia. He is about 
fifty, with fiercely curling white moustache, white hai- 
d la militaire, pince-nez, florid colour, nervous and 
quick, and at times irritable, but not a man who 
conveys self-reliance. All bow.) 

King, [going up c, genially) Ah, there you are, 
Berascon. I observe a number of troops in the 
quadrangle apparently doing nothing, and doing it 
with much enjoyment, gusto and clatter. It is the 
clatter I object to. Does anybody know why they're 
disporting themselves ? {coming down, places papers 
on table) 

Duke. It is the Guard, your Majesty, waiting to 
pay you the royal salute. 

King. That's very good of the Guard. But why ? 

Duke. This is Tuesday, Sire. 

King. Eh ! What ! So it is. {irascibly) Now 
I ask you, what is the purpose of four good gentlemen, 
in receipt of very high pay, being here in waiting, if, 
when Tuesday comes, I am not informed of it ? 

Duke. {steps towards him) Your Majesty's mem- 
ory is so marvellous that it seems preposterous to 
refresh it. 

King. Ah ! Yoa got that from a book. 

Duke. Yes, sir ! From your Majesty's handbook 
for courtiers. 



12 A ROYAL FAMILY [Act I. 

King, {pleased) What ! Hoist with my own 
petard, eh ? Well, well, the Guard must wait a 
moment. (Duke goes round at hack and opens door 
L. I. E.) Tell me, what did I wear last Tuesday ? 

2nd A.D.C. (comes forward a step) Your frock 
coat, sir, and a few orders. 

King. Yes. That's always sound. Neat, quiet, 
and one can't put it on the wrong way, like uniform. 

[Exit L. Duke closes doors, returns r., puts busby on 
table R. and sits on settee r. 1st A.D.C. puts busby on 
table R. at back, then leans on back of settee r). 

3rd A.D.C. {going r.c.) He's in excellent 
humour to-day. 

Duke. Yes. I begged the chef to give him an 
omelette a la Lucullus for breakfast. His favourite 
dish, you know. 

2nd A.D.C. {comes down l.) The reason being 

Duke. T mean to ask him for leave. I'm off to 
America. 

(1st A.D.C. goes r of settee.) 

2nd A.D.C. Really ? Why ? 

Duke. To find a duchess. 

Omnes. a duchess ! 

Duke. I don't want to worry you, dear fellows, 
with my troubles, but I'm hopelessly broke. I lost 
5,000 acres of vineyards at roulette last night. I 
positively must find a duchess. 

2nd A.D.C. (l. c.) But you can't go hunting for 



Act I.] A ROYAL FAMILY. 13 

duchesses when we're on the eva of a war with 
Kurland. 

Duke. You don't seriously think we are, do you ? 

2nd A.D.C. The papers say so in very large type, 
and large type sometimes indicates a substratum of 
truth. The country folk on either side of the frontier 
are in a state of frantic excitement. 

Duke. But we can't afford to go to war. Suppose 
we do — and lose, as we did ten years ago. This time 
it would mean an end of the monarchy, and then 
what's to become of us ? {riss) We're all right as 
we are, but you don't suppose we'd amuse a republic, 
do you ? 

(Enter King, l. i. ^., now in frock coat,hluc sash, two 
or three orders, and carrying hat. He is followed 
by two Secretaries, similarly dressed, hut with minor 
orders and no sashes. 1st A.D.C. down r. 2nd 
goes to table up r., takes up helmet. 3rd goes to 
table up L. and takes up helmet. 1st Secretary 
goes up betiveen chair and table l. 2nd stands 
below table l.) 

King. I am quite ready, gentlemen. 

Duke. If your Majesty will permit it, I would 
point out that the sash is over the wrong shoulder. 

King. Eh, what ? So it is ; I'm extremely 
obliged. (King puts hat on table, 1st Secretary 
takes coat) Just help me, will you ? {they adjust 
sash) And have the man who dressed me dismissed. 
I believe it's the same fellow who last year sent me in 



14 A ROYAL FAMILY. [Act I. 

a German uniform to receive the President of the 
French RepubUc. (Secretary hands him hat) 

Duke. Everything is quite correct now, sir. 

King. Good ! Then lead the way to the balcony. 

Officer of Guard, (ivithout) Attention ! Shoul- 
der arms — Royal salute — Present arms ! 

{The Duke (jo3S out c. window and gives sign for the 
hind. The Staff file on to the balcony and take up 
position through side doors of the ivindow. The 
King, hat on, passes through central ivindow. Cheers, 
words of command, National Anthem, etc., greet his 
appearance. King bows and removes hat. As this 
is going on, enter, l. u. e., Queen and Queen- 
Mother, with bonnets on, accompanied by tivo 
L A^DiE s-iN- Waiting . ) 

Queen, {crossing to r. c.) Ah! Louis is receiv- 
ing the Guards' salute. 

QuEEN-M. [above table l.) It's quite an innova- 
tion to receive it from the balcony. Formerly the 
custom was to proceed to a dais 

Queen. Yes, I know, mother, but in these electric 
days we make the mountain come to Mahomet. Let 
us look at the troops. 

(Queen advances and touches the King's arm ; he 
turns and mikes room for her ; she stands at his 
side. Cheers break out afresh ; Queen bows and 
waves handkerchief. Queen-Mother tries to get 
on balcony, but fails, a row of backs presenting an 



Act I.] A ROYAL FAMILY. 15 

impissabh barrier. She then sits on couch r. c, 
showiny ejctrerm irritation.) 

QuEEN-M. I can concBive of no more humiliating 
position tha^n that of a Qaesn-Dowager. For years 
accustomed to these acclamations, and now — oh ! it 
is hard, (to Lad y-in- Watting) Comtesse — Com- 
tesse, pr^y are you in waiting on me, or are you nob ? 

Comtesse. [coming down l. of h^r and curtsejjs) 
Yes, ma'am. I beg a thousand pardons. I was 
trying to see the soldiers. 

QuEEN-M. And pray why should people invariably 
stare at soldiers ? They are only so many yards of 
extremely ordinary humanity wrapped by contract 
in the cheapest of red material. 

(King and Queen return to room from balcony, fol- 
lowed by Staff. Loud cheers as they leave balcony. 
Guard of Honour " Form Fours ! Slope Arms ! 
By the right ! Quick march ! " King and Queen 
come down. King to above table l. Queen c. 
King puts hat on table. A.D.C.'^ follow, put on 
hats.) 

King. Well, dearest, that's over. I'm very glad 
you came. I want to discuss a matter of most press- 
ing importance with you. Shall I ask the people in 
waiting to leave us ? 

Queen. Yes, Louis, do. [gives parasol to Lady- 
in-waiting) 

King. Will those in waiting be good enough to 



16 A ROYAL FAMILY. [Act I. 

leave us for a moment, (exsunt all l. u. e. bowing. 
A Footman takes the King's hat) Duke, and when 
the Prime Minister arrives, let me know. I will see 
him here, in this room, and I want the Chief of Police 
sent for. (crosses round front of table to c.) 

Queen. Not bad news from the frontier, I trust ? 

King. If not bad, at least extremely harassing. 
There is no longer any doubt that the bulk of the 
people, both of this country and of Kurland, are 
simply dying to go to war with each other. Indeed, 
on the frontier line most serious disturbances have 
already taken place. (Queen gets above table L.) 

QuEEN-M. Nations are so extremely silly. I 
remember in '76, when your father and I held the 
reins, 1 issued an order— — 

King. Quite so, my dear mother. But really, 
there isn't time to wander backwards into reminis- 
cence. And, after all, you were only my father's 
consort, and had no administrative powers. 

QuEEN-M. Not according to the constitution of 
the country. But when your father and I disagreed 
on political points, well, I promise you — he passed a 
sleepless night. And as he cordially detested insom- 
nia, my political influence was enormous. 

Queen. But, Louis, what do the Parliaments 
say? 

King. I'm afraid there is a majority in each Par- 
liament in favour of immediate war. {siis r. of table 
L. Queen gets l. of table l.) The Emperor of Kur- 
land and I, as you know, are both bitterly opposed 



Act I.] A ROYAL FAMILY. 17 

to anything of the sort. We realize that defeat would 
mean revolution in the defeated country, and that 
the crown would be the first objective of a maddened 
people. In this we are each supported by our respec- 
tive Cabinets. 

Qqeen-M. Naturally, as a revolution means that 
ministers lose the emoluments of office. 

King, (to Queen) Now, my Ministers have been in 
confidential communication with the Kurlandese 
government, and together they have devised a scheme 
by which they believe war may be averted. But 
it involves a sacrifice. 

Queen. Not the yielding up of territeory on tjie 
frontier ? 

King. No, we can't afford that. No, it is our 
daughter Angela that must be sacrificed. 

Queen-M. Angela ! What do you mean ? 

Queen. My dear Louis! {comes down l.) 

King. The scheme is to marry her to Prince Victor 
of Kurland. 

Queen-M. Preposterous ! 

Queen. Louis, I do think goes at hack of 

King to r. c.) . 

King. Please — please hear me out. You see, 
romance, and above all, sentiment are strong charac- 
teristics of both nations, and it is felt that such a 
marriage might quite possibly avert war altogether. 

Queen, {over settee r.) But Angela's a mere 
child. Not yet nineteen. 

QuEEN-M. And she's so very highly educated that 



18 A ROYAL FAMILY. [Act i. 

she's quita sure to object. Besides, they haven't 
eVen seen each other. 

King. I admit that's a difficulty. 

Queen, (r. corner) It's very distressing. Have 
you spoken to Angela ? 

King. No. But 1 mean to this morning. 

QuEEN-M. {to Queen r. King goes up to c. 
Queen goes up r.) Then there's all the worry of a 
prodigious wedding. As we're on the subject, I may 
as well say that I shall have to demand suitable recog- 
nition of my position at any forthcoming Court 
functions. 

King, (c.) Surely, mother, every thing in 
reason 

QuEEN-M. My dear Louis, at the last procession 
I insisted, as you know, on at least four horses for 
my carriage. 

King, (down to her) And four you had. 

QuEEN-M. I had four animals, called by courtesy 
horses. (King goes up to hack) Half-way two of 
them went lame. We had to draw up on one side, 
when I was passed by a number of fifth-rate princesses, 
not to speak of several doubtful duchesses, and finally, 
when I did arrive at the Cathedral, I was shown into 
a baok pew marked " For distinguished strangers " 
forsooth ! Now at Angela's wedding 

King, (comes down to her) My dear mother, 
nothing whatever is arranged yet. 

{Two Footmen open door l. u. e., Queen draws Kino's 



Act I.] A ROYAL FAMILY. 19 

attention. The Duke of Berascon enters. He 
hows and stayids still.) 

The Prime Minister ? 

Duke. Yes, sir. Count Verensa and Baron 
Holdensen. 

King. Be good enough to have them shown in 
here. 

Duke. Yes, sir. 

{Exit L. u. e. followed hif Footmen.) 

Queen. We'll leave you then, Louis. Don't 
forget that to-day you and I have to inspect the 
pictures at the New Art Gallery, {pomes down l. 
of table) Mother is going to visit the sick in the 
Government Hospitals. 

King. Sometimes I wonder if that sort of thing 
doesn't make the patients worse. 

(Queen opens door l. i. s.) 

Queen-M. {rising) No, 1 think they find it 
stimulating {going l.), and the doctors enjoy it im- 
mensely. Come, then, Margaret. 

{Exit L. I. E.) 

Queen, {turns to King) You'll be very gentle 
with Angela, won't you ? 

King. Yes, darling, gentle — {kisses her hand) but 
firm. Au revoir. 

Queen. Au revoir. {exits l., through folding- 
doors) 



20 A ROYA FAMILY [Act. I 

(Enter l., the Duke of Berascon, the doors opened as 
before by two Footmen.) 

Duke, [up ^..c, announcing) The Count Verensa, 
and the Baron Holdensen. 

{Enter Verensa and Holdensen.) 

King, [down l.) Ah, my dear Count, how are 
you ? And you, Baron ? Thank you, Duke, you 
may leave us. {exit Duke l. u. e. bowing) The 
Countess Verensa is well, I trust ? 

Verensa. (r. c.) In excellent health, your 
Majesty, though a little troubled about the political 
outlook. 

King. Ah, my dear Count, one should never men- 
tion public affairs to one's women-folk. (Baron 
places chair) Well, now to business, [sits l. of table 

Verensa. {producing paper) Then, sir, if you 
will permit me to so express it, I am here to-day as 
the mouthpiece of your Majesty's Ministers. 

King. Quite so. 

Verensa. We have been sitting in council for 
two hours, with the result that we most earnestly 
petition your Majesty, that negotiations be at once 
opened with a view to the immediate betrothal of her 
Royal Highness, the Princess Angela, to his Royal 
Highness, the Crown Prince of Kurland. {replaces 
papers breast pocket) 

King. It's a very serious matter, eh, Baron ? 

Baron, {coming down to above table l.) It is 



Act I.] A ROYAL FAMILY. 21 

indeed. I suppose your Majesty is aware of the 
existence of a secret society, which will bitterly 
oppose any such union. 

King. No, we didn't know. How very irritating. 
How unnecessary. 

Baron. Indeed, we suspect that all the trouble on 
the frontier is due to secret agitation of its members. 

King. Then of course you had them all arrested ? 

Baron. No, sir, my police work methodically. 
It's a habit they can't get out of. There are three 
stages, suspicion, investigation, and action. At 
present we are only at the first stage, and have no 
definite information whatever. 

King. That sounds reassuring, if not precisely 
useful. Then possibly the society doesn't exist. 

Baron. It may not, sir. 

King. We confess, Baron, your police appear to us 
extremely apathetic, not to say comatose. 

Baron. True, sir, but they form a sensitive web 
over the entire country, and all the strands are 
centred here, in Caron. 

King. With you as the chief spider ? 

(Verensa smiles.) 

Baron. In a sense, sir. 

King. Then you must be hungry. We don't- 
remember your catching a fly these three years, {signs 
io Baron, ivho retires up) In any case, Count, you 
ma,y assure my Ministers that we will give their 
proposal our earnest and most grave consideration. 



22 A ROYAL FAMILY. [Act \. 

Of course, you know, our daughter's views have to 
be considered. 

Verensa. Your Ministers feel sure that her father's 
daughter will ever be guided by the same high prin- 
ciples that inspire your Majesty. 

King. H'm, perhaps. We really don't know. 
We've never studied^heredity, but we believe it has a 
nasty trick of throwing back. Of course a consider- 
able sum would be voted for dowry, wedding expenses 
and so on — merely, of course, as a memento of the 
nation's affection. 

Verensa. Your Ministers, sir, feel that such a 
course might possibly wound her Royal Highness's 
feelings. 

King. Oh, we think not. She inherits a strong 
sense of duty, and we think you may rely on her 
accepting, without flinching, whatever may be — er — 
er — going. But we'll inquire, {he rises) Meantime, 
Baron, you have nothing further to report ? 
Barron. Nothing, sir. 

King. Then, if you don't mind, there's a matter 
on which we wish to consult Count Verensa alone. 
{touches bell) 

Baron. I have your Majesty's permission to with- 
draw ? 

King. Certainly. Good-bye. Our remembrances 
to the Baroness. 

{Tivo Footmen open doors, an^DuKE of Berascon 
enters l. u. e. Baron exit, the Footmen following. 
As the Duke is going out.) 



Act 1.] A ROYAL FAMILY. 23 

King. Ah, and Duke, just ask the Princess AngeLA. 
to come here, will you ? (Duke botvs and exits r. 
King crosses in front of table to c.) Now, my dear 
Count, we are to take it for granted that we absolutely 
dare not go to war ? 

Verensa. (r. c.) Undoubtedly, sir. The War 
Minister assures me that we have only half the re- 
quisite number of rifles, and hardly any war material 
that is not obsolete. 

King, (c.) Can't we turn the unarmed men into 
cavalry ? 

Verensa. Not without horses. 

King. Ah, true. And we can't afford horses. 

Verensa. Then our purchase of the new electric 
guns was a heavy charge on the State. 

King, {crosses and sits on settee r.) And they are not 
quite satisfactory, are they ? 

Verensa. Well, no. They've an uncomfortable 
trick of shattering themselves instead of the target. 
Another source of weakness is the introduction of the 
new drill. The men don't know it yet. 

King. So we imagined. We saw a regiment 
marching yesterday, and only a very few were in step. 
They gave us the impression that when accidentally 
they ivere in step, they thought it neat, but unneces- 
sary. 

Verensa. So you see, sir, the Treasury is really 
unable to vote a sufficient sum for adequate military 
expenditure, as well as a suitable dowry for her Royal 
Highness. 



24 A ROYAL FAMILY. [Act T. 

King, (rises and crosses to r. of table l.) I see. You 
can't do both. Then we won't go to war. It would 
be infamous while the hand of civilization holds out 
the oUve branch of peace, (touches bell) You will 
convey to our Ministers the assurance that our deepest 
consideration will be given to their advice. 

(Door opens l. Enter 2nd A.D.C.) 

Good-bye. Our remembrances to your charming 
wife. 

(Verensa boivs and exit, l. u. e.) 

2nd A.D.C. (coming fonvard) His Eminence the 
Cardinal requests audience of your Majesty. 

King. Ah ! the very man we want, but we're busy. 
Just a^^k him to wait. He's fond of flowers, take him 
to th^ gardens. 

(The A.D.C. bows and exit, l. The King goes up c.) 
{The curtains r. part and Princess Angela looks in. 
She is a beautiful girl of nineteen, and carries garden 
scissors and a huge bunch of sweet peas.) 

Angela. You want me, father ? 

King. My darling, yes. What delicious flowers. 

Angela. There ! (buries his face in them) 

King. Now, now, Angela, we've got to be very, 
very serious. 

Angela, (putting flowers, etc., on tables, c.) Un- 
fortunately, father, I haven't time this morning. 
It's Father Anselm's hour for teaching me moral 



Act I.] A ROYAL FAMILY. 25 

philosophy. He'll be here in a moment and it's the 
last lesson he's to give me. (going to him) Besides, 
how can you be serious with that funny old moustache 
of yours climbing all sorts of ways it was never meant 
to go. [tivisting it) 

King. Angela, my moustache has been con- 
sidered very striking — very distinguished. 

Angela. Ah ! but not by a Raphael, a Rubens, a 
Botticelli ! 

King. (Angela futs flower in his buttonhole) No, 
I believe not. Even art is progressive. D'you know, 
child, sometimes I see in you a striking Ukeness to 
myself. 

Angela. Oh, father ! 

King. You have a strange, almost a wild beauty- 

Angela. I knew that ages ago. 

King. Ah ! Don't be so proud of the ages that are 
gone, dearest. The day will come when you'll find 
the past tense a very sad one. But there, you are 
grown up now and fit to fulfil your destiny, the destiny 
of a queen. 

Angela. A queen ! But I'd much rather not, I 
assure you. I don't in the least want to be a queen. 
(sits L. of settee R.) For, oh, father ! I've been reading 
Romeo and Juliet, as you told me to, and it's too 
heavenly for words. That's all I want to be — a 
Juliet — with stars and gardens, moonlight and love, 
balconies and tombs. Shakespeare had such a 
beautiful mind, (takes flowers from table) Was he 
really an Englishman ? 



26 A ROYAL FAMILY. [Act T. 

King. 1 understand he was a number of English- 
men. A sort of composite creature. And now, my 
angel {takes flowers from her and puts them back on 
table) I've something to break to you. 

Angela, {moves to r. of settee) Oh, 1 know. A 
function to go to " en grande tenue," a building to be 
opened, or a statue to be unveiled. Well, what is 
it? 

King, {sits beside her) I want you, my pet, to be 
prepared to marry. 

Angela, {rests her head on his shoulder) Why, 
dearest of fathers, of course I'm prepared to marry, 
but only when my own beloved Romeo asks me . 

King. I don't . think you quite understand. 
Royalty doesn't marry for love, you know. 

Angela. Doesn't it ? 

King. Oh dear no ! A royal marriage is a sort 
of diplomatic treaty arranged by the Foreign Office. 
In fact, it's almost desirable that royal couples who 
marry shouldn't be in love. Then they stand in awe 
of each other, which is always a good thing. 

Angela, {sits up) What are you talking about, 
father ? 

King. Darling, only one thing will avert war 
between this country, and Kurland, and that is 
your marriage with Prince Victor. 

Angela. Father ! 

King. It is true, my pet. 

Angela. Father — ah yes — it'p all a joke. I know 
— I see it is ! 



Act I.] A ROYAL FAMILY. 27 

King. No, Angela, it's an exceedingly solemn 
problem. 

Angela. But — {slightly annoyed) but I've never 
seen him. 

King. Then you can't possibly feel any aversion 
to the idea. (Angela rises) And you come of a 
great and royal race, that has ever given itself to the 
service of the nation. 

Angela. Well, I simply won't — there ! 

King, (touches her arm) Was it my daughter that 
spoke ? 

Angela. Perhaps not. But at least an educated 
woman of the twentieth century. 

King. That is not the person to whom I am ap- 
pealing, (rises) I hope I am addressing an embryo 
queen. It is my duty to see you suitably provided 
for before your brother Charles succeeds to the throne. 
(goes to R. of table l.) 

Angela, (folloiving him) But, father dear, you're 
not going to die so very suddenly ? 

King. One never knows. I felt an ominous 
palpitation last night after dinner, (sits r. of table) I 
don't think you realize what war means. You've 
never seen a battlefield, have you ? 

Angela. No. (coming round back to l. of table) 

King. I have — ^once. The battle was over. I 
have never forgotten it. I will never see an- 
other. 

Angela, (between table and chair) That's all very 
well, but how often have you told me that great 



28 A 110 YAL FAMILY. [Act I. 

empires are made by war. Look at the great Napo- 
leon. 

King. That's quite different. Napoleon was a 
spoilt child with a box of soldiers. He went on play- 
ing with them till they all got broken. Then Nurse 
Wellington came, took the box away, and made 
Napoleon stand in the corner. Besides, Angela, 
don't you see that Kurland is the very last country 
we can afford to go to war with. Geographically we 
ought to be allies. 

Angela. I decline to be married for purposes o^ 
geography, (comes downh.) Am I not a woman of 
flesh and blood, like any other ? Haven't you brought 
me up in a world charged with romance and luxury 
and beautiful dreams ? (moving up to him) 

King. To be about to marry a man you've never 
seen is surely a very remarkable dream. 

Angela. I don't care, I will not do it ! 

(Enter Queen and Queen-Mother lower door l 
King goss up c. Queen- Mother passes at back 

to R.) 

Queen, (goes to Angela) Well, my poor child, 
has your father spoken to you ? 

Angela. Yes, oh yes ! It's a terrible idea. It's 
stunned me ! 

Queen. I know — I know. But, darling, we 
unfortunate creatures, born to a high estate, have 
to do these things. I'm sure Louis and I never 



Act I.] A ROYAL FAMILY. 2» 

dreamt we should be happy till several years after our 
marriage, did we, Louis ? 

King, (c.) I thought it just possible. 

Queen. But after long years a wonderful resigna- 
tion came to us. 

QuEEN-M. {in front of settee r.) My grand- 
daughter, I feel sure, will do all that her country asks 
of her. (Angela moves towards Queen-M. Queen 
restrains her and takes her up l. c. King turns up 
to back c) Of course 1 quite see the uncomfortable 
side of it ; ridiculous wedding processions, quantities 
of such inartistic bunting that even the horses shy at 
it, (Angela leaves Queen and goes to her father who 
moves away from her) dreadful cannons going off 
unexpectedly, people shouting at one from the 
crowd 

King, {coming doivn) Mother, I do wish you'd put 
things more cheerful. Besides, the people adore Angela. 

QuEEN-M. All princesses are adored theoretically. 
{sits on settee r.) As a girl I was always considered a 
sort of safety-valve for outbursts of national affection. 
I remember once 

King. Yes, yes ; but we've got to think of the 
future — not of the past. 

QuEEN. {down L.) By the way, what are Prince 
Victor's views on the subject ? 

King. As for that, I believe he's quite as much 
opposed to the idea as Angela. 

Angela, {comes doivn to the hack of chair Ij. c. ) Oh, 
is he ? I'm so glad. I hope he sticks to that. 



30 A ROYAL FAMILY [Ac-t I. 

King. His father, however, assures me that his 
affections will be directed by political pressure if 
necessary. 

Angela, (moves between chair and table) Oh, it's 
maddening ! I will not be loved by Act of a Foreign 
Parliament. 

King. What ! 

Angela. I will not marry a creature who doesn't 
want to marry me. I will not be a martyr to political 
geography. 

Queen. Angela ! 

Angela. I will not be hnked for life to a man 
whom I've only seen in the illustrated papers, (Queen- 
Mother rises) one week with short legs, another with 
long, r will not marry an unknown quantity — I will 
not 

King. Stop ! (pause) It is not fitting that your 
grandmother, your mother or I should listen to such 
an uncontrolled outburst of revolutionary sentiment. 
I am bitterly disappointed in you, Angela. We will 
leave you, and I trust, when next we meet, you will 
be in a frame of mind more fitted to the high station 
to which you have been called. I will send the Car 
dinal to you. Come, Margaret, (exit, l. i. e.) 

Queen, (in tears, about to folloiv, but stops and goes 
to Angela) My poor, poor Angela, don't be down- 
hearted. He may be a very charming youth. I 
only met him once. He was at the lanky age, you 
know, very long legs and unbrushable hair. And do 
try to humour your father, (exit, l. i. e.) 



Act I.] A ROYAL FAMILY. 31 

QuEEN-M. (goes to l. of her) Your manners leave 
nmch to be desired. If I, at your age, had spoken 
as you have to-day, I beHeve I should have been 
secretly poisoned. 

(Emt L. I. E. As she is going out, a big Newfoundland 
dog, " Socrates," hounds into the room and rushes to 
Angela, who has gone r.c. and is seated on the floor 
crying bitterly.) 

Angela. My dear, dear old Socrates, you're the 
only friend I have. You don't want me to marry an 
unknown quantity, do you ? Tell me, wise dog, what 
am I to do ? Didn't you always suppose that a 
princess only existed to be beautiful and happy, and 
to have lots of bones ? 

{Enter Father Anselm, l. u. e.) 

Anselm. {puts book on table l. c, Is your Royal 
Highness ready for our last lesson ? 

Angela . {rises and goes up to back) The last lesson ! 
How sad it sounds. Yes, I'm ready, so come along, 
Socrates, you're quite wise enough as it is. {leads 
dog out between curtains) Father Anselm ! (An- 
SEM is front of l. c. table. He turns. Very quickly) 
Tell me, would you marry any one you didn't love, 
even though he loves me, which nobody knows he 
does, and which I suspect he doesn't ? 

Anselm. That's a difficult question, ma'am. 

Angela, {coming down) They're trying to force 



32 A ROYAL FAMILY. [Act T. 

me to marry Prince Victor of Kurland for the welfare 
of the country. 

Anselm. I see. To bring about a rapprochement 
between the two nations. 

Angela. Yes. But the mean way they put it is 
to avert war. That is how they pin me down. They 
know I'm warm-hearted and they're taking advantage 
of it. (sits R.) 

Anselm. If your Royal Highness consented to 
such a marriage to save the shedding of blood, it 
would be a very noble, an infinitely touching sacrifice. 

Angela. Yes, but we must remember that I am 
human, (rises and goes up c.) It's all very well for 
you to talk like that. You can't be forced to marry 
any one. 

Anselm. No. But even I have to make sacrifices 

Angela. Have you ? 

Anselm. Yes, princess. I have longed, indeed 
still long, for the joys of the world ; joys that I must 
never know. So tempted am I at times, that I 
tremble for myself, and see before me, as a penance, 
the cloister. 

Angela. You mean, a sacrifice of yourself, for the 
good of the church ? 

Anselm. And for my own good. To have the 
great joy of knowing that one has put self second in the 
work of the world. 

Cardinal, (off) I fully appreciate the difficulty, 
sir. 

Angela. That's the Cardinal ! He's coming to 



4.CT I.] A ROYAL FAMILY. U 

try to induce me to marry a man I've never seeH. 
And I'm not going to — so au revoir, my tutor that was 
— my friend that is to bs. (exit, r.) 

(Enter Cardinal tvith King, l., arm in arm. Anselm 
goes and picks up hook and goes up hack R.) 

King, (comm^ c. Cardinal ^oes up l.) Alone, 
Father Anselm. 

Anselm. Yes, your Majesty. 

King. Where is the Princess ? 

Anselm. She seemed to bs in much distress, sir 
She has just left the room. 

King. Then be good enough to ask her to return. 

Anselm. Yes, sir. (exit, r.) 
II King. You see, my dear Cardinal, your views are 
ikely to have great weight with her. She has always 
entertained towards you a very warm affection, and 
really, if you can't induce her to do what is clearly 
her duty, I know don't what is to happan. (goes l.) 
In a few days every newspaper in Arcacia will be 
advocating this marriage, and if I refuse to assent to : 
it, imagine how I shall be criticized. We^ — Arcacia^-. 
criticized ! (sits l. of table l.) 

Cardinal. Criticism would hardly attempt such 
a hopeless task. It could only resolve itself into 
extravagant praise of your Majesty. 

King. Yes, I think so. The Press are very good ■ 
to me. I shall do something for the editors on my 
next birthday. I shall give them a garden party. By 
the way, you were entrusted with the diTection of i 



34 A ROYAL FAMILY. [Act I. 

Pnn.03 Victor's studies some twelve years ago. What 
sort of a lad is he ? 

Caedinal. Very charming and manly, I assure 
your Majesty — and, if I may say so, admirably 
educated. (Cardinal laughs. The King beckons him 
to sit. He moves a chair l. c. to table and does so) Now, 
a few c-ays ago, a little scheme occurred to me, which, 
1 believe, might bring about the end you desire. 
But I fear 1 should have to ask for an absolutely free 
hand. 

KiN(j. (leaning forward eagerly) Willingly, my 
dear Cardinal, willingly ! 

Cardinal. 1 should first venture to ask that the 
Court be moved, almost at once, to your Majesty's 
summ:;r palace at Cassantra. 

King. H'm — ah — well — yes — that could be ar- 
ranged. And the reason ? 

Cardinal. I require a romantic background for 
my little scheme. Next, I would beg of you, sir, to 
invite me there, together with an old pupil who, at this 
moment, is a guest of my own. He came with me 
this morning to write his name in your Majesty's book, 
and I believe he is waiting for me in the picture 
gallery. 

King. A pupil, you say ? 

Cardinal. Yes, a young Kurlandese Count, named 
Bernadine, attached to the staff of the Crown Prince 
of Kurland. 

King. L see. The only difficulty is that my 
ministers suggest that Prince Victor should be invited 



Act I] A ROYAL FAMILY. 35 

here at once, and a state ball given on the day of- his 
arrival, probably about a fortnight from to-day. 

Cardinal. That will not interfere with the scheme 
in any way. 

King. You can't give me even a vague outline 
of what you mean to do ? 

Cardinal. I fear not, your Majes^ty, beyond this 
— that on the night of the proposed ball, I believe 
you will be able to flash all over the world the news 
of th3 betrothal of your daughter to Prince Victor. 

King, {rises and goes up c.) My poor child ! 

Cardinal, {rises and goes down l.) Let us hope, 
sir, the betrothal will be that of two devoted lovers. 

King. Lovers ! I'm afraid you don't know 
Angela, or else you possess some charm — some 
philtre, {coming down c.) 

Cardinal. No ; but deep in the hearts of the 
young, there is a well full of the pliiltre of love, and I 
hope to stir the depths. 

King. Your Eminence is an optimist. 

Cardinal. That is the duty of a priest, sir. 

{Enter Anselm, r.) 

King. Well ? 

Anselm. Her Royal Highness will be here in a 
moment. 

King. Ah, thank you. {Aiii&^iM takes out hreuiary 
and goes out through window r. c. walking up and down) 
Theui Cardinal, I'll leave her with you. {crosses l.) 
I don't want to hamper you, and she might be inclined 



36 A ROYAL FAMILY. [Act I. 

to restrict her views if I were here. Be gentle with 
her, but — Uke myself — firm, {exit, l. i. e.) 

(Cardinal bows King off and (pes slowly to r.) 

Cardinal. Father Anselm ! (he comes into the 
room — down c.) Diplomacy is in the air, my dear 
Anselm, and T require an accomplice. You will be 
surprised to hear that foi* the last two months Prince 
Victor has been travelling incognito, shooting in 
Austria and Northern Kurland. [sits r.) Quite 
recently he wrote to me, liis old tutor, begging that I 
would let him pay me a visit, in absolute secrecy, that 
he might at least see our little princess to whom the 
world is so anxious to marry him. He has grown a 
moustache, which entirely alters his appeaiance — and 
he is here. 

Anselm. The Crown Prince of Kurland is here ? 

Cardinal. Hush ! Yes, but for the present he is 
known as my guest and friend, Count Bernadine. 
It is possible that the Princess, who loathes the mere 
sound of his name, may learn to love him, if she meets 
him as an ordinary mortal. 

Anselm. Then you mean 

Cardinal. I mean that love is a wild little boy. 
He'll break feloniously into a house, but open the do^ 
and beckon him, and you find he'll fly away. You 
understand ? {rising) 

Anselm. Quite, your Eminence. 

Cardinal. Then keep your counsel and assist me 
^n all that you can. 



Act L] a ROYAL FAMILY. S7 

[Enter Princess Angela, r.) 

Angela, {crossing c.) Good-morning, father. 
{kneels and kisses his ring) 

Cardinal. Beneiicit3, my daughter. 

Angela. (703? up to window c.) Isn't it a lovely 
morning ? So fresh and sunny ! It ought to be 
delightful ! 

Cardinal, {goes up l.) And is it not ? You may 
go, Anselm. 

Angela. Oh, mayn't he stay ? 

Cardinal, {above table l.) Unfortunately he has 
pressing work to do. 

Angela. And I suppose we must all do our duty 
when there's no way out of it. Good-bye, then. 

Anselm. Good-bye, Princess, {exit l. u, e. ) 

Angela, {tip to ivindow again) It is a lovely 
morning, isn't it ? 

Cardinal. Yes, a remarkably fine morning. So 
fine that we shall quite enjoy a quiet little talk to- 
gether. 

Angela. One of the gardeners said we might have 
rain later. 

Cardinal. Did he ? Well, he ought to know. 
But you and I 

Angela. And rain is so bad for the sweet peas. 

Cardinal. Yes, but 

Angela. But it's good for the tomatoes. Yes, I 
suppose it is ! 

Cardinal. Come, Princess, indeed we must look 
things in the face. Your father has told you 



38 A ROYAL FAMILY. [Act I. 

Angela, {comes down and sits in chair r. of table l.) 
Oh, yes, yes ! And don't you see, dear Cardinal, how 
cruel it is ? I'm only a girl, after all, a weak, helpless 
girl. Be my friend. You will, won't you ? Don't 
you see how alone I am ? 

Cardinal. Yes, yes, my child, and I mean to be 
your humble servant and friend. Come, tell me what 
you feel. 

Angela. They want to drive me headlong to a 
marriage that makes me shudder, that sickens me ! 
And all my life I've been taught that true marriage 
lies in a great love — a love that strengthens life and 
makes it beautiful — a love that is holy and binding 
{rises and crosses r.) only when the bonds are willingly 
woven by ourselves. It's all very girlish, I dare say, 
to think so, but I — I can't help it. 

Cardinal. There is a greater beauty in life, 
Princess, than what you speak of, and it is called self- 
sacrifice. 

Angela. Yes, it's a beautiful thing to read about 
But surely it is not asked of the young ? To leave the 
sunshine and walk in the shade before the sun is at 
its height. 

Cardinal. Princess ! 

Angela. No, no, I passionately want to play in 
the sun, if only for a time. And yet — long before mid- 
day — you would drag me to a hateful cloister, and 
leave me there — not even alone, {down again to table 
R. c.) 

Cardinal. In the cloister you might find a happi- 
ness that far exceeds that of the sunshine. 



Act I.] A ROYAL FAMILY. 39 

Angela. Ah ! but not the happiness I long for. 
And youth has a right to long, hasn't it ? I want the 
roses and the sun, the joy of Hving and laughing. 
Surely you've forgotten the wonderful dreams of your 
own youth or you'd never wish to waken others so 
roughly, (sits on settee r.) 

Cardinal, {crosses and bends over her) Many fair 
visions fade away when the young priest draws the 
hood over his eyes. 

Angela. But only because he chooses a world of 
more beautiful dreams — dreams that are beyond most 
of us. And I plead for my own little homely dream. 
Ah ! 1 see a beautiful light in your eyes. 

Cardinal. Do you, Princess ? Then you see a 
reflection of your own splendid youth, and the faint 
memory of my own. 

Angela. And so — for auld lang syne {rising) 

Cardinal. For auld lang syne— you shall marry 
only the man who wins your love. There ! {putting 
his hands on her shoulders) And in the meantime I've 
arranged a little hoUday for you. The Court is going 
to Cassantra. {bringing her across to l.) 

Angela. Not really ? Groing to Cassantra ? 
Cardinal. Yes, to the cool green fields, and shining 
skies. You can wear country frocks, and climb, and 
fish and row, and scramble all day long — {takes both 
her hands) and do just as you please. 

Angela. Father ! Father ! I thought we had to 
stop in this horrid city. Is it really going to happen ? 
Cardinal. Yes. 



40 A HOYAL FAMILY. [Act I. 

Angela. Oh ! 

Cardinal. On one condition. 

Angela. Oh ! 

Cardinal. That you promise to be guided in the 
matter of your marriage, by me. Fail in your promise, 
and, Uke a topsy-turvy Cinderella, your country frocks 
will change to ermine, and you'll find yourself back 
in the palace again. 
Angela. And no one will speak of love or marriage ? 

Cardinal. Not unless you accidentally start the 
subject. 

Angela. Oh, how splendid ! 1 promise every- 
thing you ask. 

(They cross over to r. Cardinal in R. corner. 

{Four j'ooTMEN, L. u. E., foUowed by the Ki-NG, QuEEN, 
and Queen-Mother, e^iter. They are preceded by 
A. D. C. 's, Ladies-in- Waiting, etc. Ti(;o Footmen 
st'^ind each side of door. King goes over to c. 
Queen follows. Queen-Mother comes down be- 
tween chair and table to l. Lad y-in- Waiting goe& 
to above table r.c. Countess comes down after 
Queen-Mother and stands l. of her. Duke wp 
c. 1st and\2^T> A.D.C.'s up c. above d. 3rd 
A.D.C. to above sofa. 1st Secretary l. of table 
L. 2nd Secretary above Countess. 

King. Weil, my Angela ! Ah ! do I see in your 
face the sunshine that so often follows the shower ? 
Angela. Well — I 



Act I.] A ROYAL FAMILY. 4! 

Cardinal, (takes her r. hand) The Princess has 
been most considerate ; she has fallen in with the first 
of my suggestions. 

King. Capital— that's excellent ! (kisses her. The 
Queen takes her to sofa and sits) And now for the 
duties of the day. (tvearily) Duke, just run through 
the list of our engagements for to-day, will you ? (puts 
hat on table l. and commences to draw on gloves) 

Duke, (comes down c. and reads from list) Twelve 
o'clock, sir, the Picture Galleries. 

King. Ah ! Do we make a speech there ? 

Duke. No, sir. 

King. Groocl ! 

Duke. One o'clock, sir, laying the foundation 
stone of the New Lunatic Asylum. 

King. Ah ! Speech ? 

Duke. Yes sir. 

King. To the inmates ? 

Duke. To the public in general. 

King. Ah ! A distinction, if not precisely a differ- 
ence. Be sure you give me the right speech. 

Duke. You may rely on that, sir. 

King. I'm not so sure. Last year, if you 
remember, when I had to address a meeting of the 
Anti-gambling League, one of you gentlemen handed 
me, and I began to read, a paper advocating a starting 
gate at Race Meetings. However, what next ? 

Duke. Two o'clock, sir, luncheon. 

King. Where ? 

Duke. Here, sir. 



42 A ROYAL FAMILY. [Act 1. 

King. Oh ! It's not a banquet. Just let me see 
the menu . ( 1 st A . D . C . hands it to him . Looking at it ) 
Very indigestible, but I suppose our chef would resign 
H we asked for a simple chop. Go on, please. 

Duke. Three-thirty, sir, inspection of the New 
Drainage Works. 

King. Speech ? 

Duke. No, sir, merely a few remarks to the Chief 
Engineer. 

King. Where are the remarks ? 

(1st Secretary comes forU)ard with the speeches.) 

Sec. The speeches are written, sir, but we thought 
you'd prefer the remarks to be extempore. 

King. That seems a little unkind towards the 
Chief Engineer. Howaver, what next ? 

Duke. You receive the Kurlandese Ambassador, 
sir, (Angela stjvts and turns to Cardinal) at five 
o'clock in connection with the risings on the frontier. 

King. And then ? 

Duke. That is all, sir. 

King. Good. (Duke goes uf) Then at six 
o'clock we shall require four of you on the croquet 
lawn. I know you all dislike the game, but unfor- 
tunately I'm very fond of it. And now, I imagine, we 
had better start for the Picture Galleries. 

QuEEN-M. Anl th? hospitals. 

Queen. You may com3 with us, Angela. Would 
it amuse you ? 



Act I.] A ROYAL FAMILY. 43 

QuEEN-M. Or, if you choose, you may accompany 
me. 

King. I thought you were going to take Charles 
with you ? 

QuEEN-M. So it was arranged. I've no idea why 
he isn't here ? 

King. Where is our son ? 

Duke. I understand the nurse is bringing his 
Royal Highness. Ah ! here he is. 

{Enter Nurse with Prince Charles, aged seven, l. u. e. 
She brings him c. and goes up to back.) 

King. Well, my little son, going out for a drive 
with grandmother ? 

Charles, {crying) I don' wan' to go ! 

Queen. Come, come, Charles, little princes mustn't 
cry. Remember one day you'll be a King. 

Charles. {runni?ig to Angela and burying his face 
in her lap) I don' wan' to be a King. 

King. It's quite extraordinary, my entire family 
seems to shirk the responsibilities of its station. 
Come now% be a little man ! All these( ladies and 
gentlemen are looking at you. 

Charles. I don' wan' 'em to look at me. 

QuEEN-M. Leave him to me, Louis. Come along. 
{goss c. Queen (/03S ^oKing.) If you don't behave, 
you shan't see the hospitals. 

Angela. {laJci.ig Jiim in her arms and kissing him) 
Charles, darling, we must all try to do our duty. 

Charles, {responding) All right, I'll try. Come 



44 A ROYAL FAMILY. [Act I. 

along, grandmother. iVnd if I'm a good little boy at 
the hospitals, will Grandmother give me a Noah's 
Ark- 

QuEEN-M. It depends on how you behave. 

Charles. Or a box of soldiers ? 

QuEEN-M, If you don't put your feet on the 
cushions. 

[The Queen-Mother /eais owi Charles r. : theij are 
followed by Lst A.D.C, the Countess and Nurse.) 

King. Are you ready, Margaret ? 

Queen. Quite, Louis. 

King, {turning to Duke) And, Duke (Duke comes 
forward), be sure you point out the pictures we ought 
to admire, especially if you see the artist standing 
near. It's an unfortunate but popular fallacy that 
royalty is always supposed to say the right thing at 
the right moment. 

Duke. I shall be at your side, sir, with a suitabl- 
supply of impromptu comments, {backs up) 

King. Qaits so. Now then, Margaret, if you're 
quite ready. 

Exeunt all r., exczft Cardinal a>^c^ Angela. Lady 
IN- Waiting givei Queen parasol. After King 
and Queen have left all bow to the Cardinal before 
leaving the room. The Footmen close doors and 
exeunt R and l. u. e.) 

Cardinal, {going up c. to back of sofa, then to 



Act I.] A POV^j, FAA^TLY. 45 

hack of table) They tell me, my daughter, you have 
never seen Prince Victor ? 

Angela, {sitting on arm of chair l. c.) Never. 
That's why the whole thing is so preposterous. Love 
may be bhnd, but one can't be blinded by a man one's 
never seen. 

Cardinal. Princess, I beg of you to ask yourself 
which is more hkely to bring you happiness — a 
sacrifice to duty, or the indulgence of self ? {exit, 
c. and L.) 

Angela. Anyhow, I can't marry him, and I 
won't. I'd rather marry, haphazard, the first man 
who came into this room, {going up c. and l.) 

{Enter Crown Prince, l. u. e.) 

Prince. I'm so sorry. I'm afraid I've made a 
mistake. I thought this led to a corridor. 

Angela, {coming down to table r. c.) It doesn't 
matter, the King's gone. 

Prince. Then I take it, I'm addressing one of the 
ladies of the Court. 

Angela. Yes, I'm that at least. 

Prince. And has the Princess Angela gone with 
his Majesty ? 

Angela. No ; why ? 

Prince. I'm curious to see her. They tell me 
there's a possibihty of her marrying our Crown 
Prince. 

Angela. Oh ! then you are from Kurland ? 
{hacking up r.) 



46 A ROYAL FAMILY. [Act 1. 

Prince. Yes. 

Angela. If you go to the corridor, the first turning 
to the right will take you to the Palace door. 

{Enter Cardinal, diligently reading a pastoral. He 
catches sight of the Prince and Princess ; noise- 
lessly turns and exit on tiptoe. During the above 
the Prince speaks.) 

Prince. I fear my intrusion seems unwarrantable, 
and I beg you to accept my humblest apologies. 

(They both turn and stand surprised, watching the 
retreating Cardinal.) 



curtain. 



ACT II. 

Scene. — Cassantra. The Palace garden in summer. 
L. c. a large tree, the foliage of which ccmpletely 
covers the flies ; under the tree chairs and tables. R. 
and L. are archways of roses. Beyond is a view 
of vineyards and purple mountains. Masses of 
flowers and creepers every ivhere. 

This scene depends a great deal upon the depth of stage 
available. The stage directions given are for two 
entrances r., one down stage in front of hank, and 
one up stage. Also two entrances l. and another 
up L, c. This latter should he on rising ground. 
There is a bankR., and between it and the tree a seat. 
On a stage where there is little depth it is advisable to 
utilize a slightly raised terrace running across the 
entire back, with a couple of steps leading down to the 
garden. This will not affect in a very material way 
the stage directions given here, anyhow none on those 
which concern the movements of the characters. 

Time. — About 5 p.m. 

As the curtain rises, the King is reclining on bank, 
R., reading newspaper. The Queen r., and Queen- 
Mother, L. c, are doing needlework. 



48 A ROYAL FAMILY. [Act II. 

QuEEN-M. I confess, Louis, this visit to Cassantra 
at the height of the season in town, though very 
delightful, bewilders me. I presume you have 
reasons for such a Quixotic holiday. 

King. Certainly, my dear mother. Angela was 
fretting herself to death in Caron over her impending 
betrothal, and the Cardinal suggested a change. So 
here we've been for a fortnight, and I confess to en- 
joying the glorious scenery, profound quiet, and 
heavenly climate. Then Angela has been more 
tractable — more resigned, 

(Queen closes parasol and moves slowly up to back.) 

QuEEN-M. I was not aware that a heavenly 
climate could present a future husband in a more 
agreeable light. 

King. Oh, I think so. She seems more open to 
reason. I've explained to her that marriages, especi- 
ally Royal marriages, are made in heaven, and that 
we ought not to tamper with the obvious convenience 
of such a creed. 

Queen, (c.) Louis, I'm a little alarmed at the 
friendship that has sprung up between Angela and 
Count Bernadine during the last few days, {looking 
about) 

QuEEN-M. Exactly ! At a time when you mean 
to force her to marry Prince Victor, you throw her 
into daily contact with an extremely good-looking 
young man. 

King. Pooh ! Nonsense ! Angela is much too 



Act II.] A ROYAL FAMILY. 4i> 

shrewd to seriously encourage young Bernadine. She 
may possibly be exercising the 'prentice hand. 

QuEEN-M. I'm not so sure. If a girl's in love, 
she is sometimes cunning, but never shrewd. When 
do we start for Caron ? 

King. To-morrow at ten. That will allow you 
several hours' rest before the ball. 

Queen. By the way, Louis, I've constantly seen 
the Chief of PoUce about the grounds to-day. Why 
is he here ? 

King. I've no idea ! He begged leave to be near 
me, and I allowed it, but he is extremely reticent as 
to his reasons. 

Queen. Not some horril^le anarchist plot, I hope ? 
{comes down and sits beside Queen-Motheh) 

King. Possibly. These are the Kttle inconveni- 
ences we have to put up with. I think the nation, as 
a whole, is fond of me, though a few eccentric people 
seem quite gratuitously to desire my demise. It's 
very extraordinary, for it's not as if they knew me 
personally. I don't think there's anything to be 
feared, but one has to humour high officials. 

Queen-M. So your poor dear father always said, 
but he invariably left the humouring to me. I used a 
fixed smile for years with enormous success, and even 
now, when I meet a Cabinet Minister, my facial 
muscles begin to expand automatically, (rising and 
looking about, puts down work) I wonder where 
Angela is ? 
King. Fishing, I beHeve. 



50 A ROYAL FA^ULY [Act II. 

QUEEN-M. With the Count? 

(Queen fnoves to centre of seat.) 

King. I fancy he's there. 

QuEEN-M. I thought so. I've done my best to 
keep them apart, but it's quite impossible. Yester- 
day I dogged their steps over most difficult ground 
for. hours, to prevent any possible exchange of erotic 
seatiments, but more than once they escaped me com- 
pletely. The Count's agility over rocks and streams 
was amazing — and as for Angela — well, she might 
have been equipped with the paraphernalia of the 
Vanishing Lady. I'm extremely stiff to-day. 

Queen, (to Queen-Mother) You don't feel ill, 
do you ? 

QuEEN-M. Not exactly. I sent for the doctor this 
morning, and he was unsympathetic enough to think 
that the exercise had done me good, {coming doum 

R.) 

King. Believe me, mother, your exertions were 
quite unnecessary. 

Queen- M. I think, Louis, you sometimes forget 
the fierce hght that beats upon a throne, (sits R.) 

King. Oh no ! But as often as possible I switch 
it of!. 

Que.en. Ah ! here is the Cardinal. 

(^n^er Cardinal l. u. e., with open umbrella. He is 
l' reading a manual, and at first is apparently unaware 
of the others^ presence.) 

T King. Ah ! my dear lord Cardinal ! 



Act II.] A ROYAL FAMILY. 51 

Cardinal, {gives a deep hoiv. He closes his ufn- 
hrella) My humble duty, sir. I trust I am not 
intruding ? 

King. Your Eminence's intrusions are always 
delightful. 

QuEEN-M. And, as it happens, / was particularly 
anxious to see you. 

Cardinal. I am indeed gratified, ma'am. 

QuEEN-M. Certain matters appear to be going on 
under my very nose, and yet I am denied the odour 
of their significance. It seems you entertain no doubt 
as to my grand-daughter's acceptance of Prince 
Victor. 

Cardinal. That is true, ma'am. 

QuEEN-M. Yet you must be aware that she is con- 
stantly in the society of your 'protege, Count Bernadine. 
An uncomfortably attractive youth. 

Cardinal. Yes, I know it. 

QuEEN-M. And propinquity is apt to end in love. 

Cardinal. BeUeve me, ma'am, even if her Royal 
Highness should learn to love my young friend, she 
will marry Prince Victor. 

King. Really, mother, I think you must leave 
matters in his Eminence's hands. Personally, I have 
every confidence in the issue. 

Cardinal. You are very good, sir. 

QuEEN-M. "i So be it. I wash my hands of the whole 
affair. But I do protest, that to afford a girl of 
Angela's rank, every opportunity of loving this young 
person, is politically indecent. It would be no worse 



62 A ROYAL FAMILY. [Act II. 

were your Eminence to fall in love with the daughter 
of a Protestant street-preacher, and that, T hope, is 
impossible. 

Cardinai.. it is improbable, ma'am, but one never 
knows. 

King, (reading) According to the Arcacian 
Times the temper of the nation is distinctly belli- 
cose. I see that at the theatres last night patriotic 
songs were hailed with the wildest enthusiasm. 

Cardinal. Yes, sir, but whether by accident or 
design, these wild enthusiasts never inconvenience 
themselves by fighting. 

{Enter, l. u. e., the Duke of Berascon.) 

King. Well, my dear Berascon, what is it ? 
Duke. Telegrams have come, sir, as to further 
riots on the frontier. 
Queen. Oh ! 
King, (rises) Good heavens ! Further riots ! 

(Queen goes to Queen-Mother. Cardinal drops 
doivn L.) 

Duke. Yes, sir. The telegrams are in your 
Majesty's study. 

King. I'll come at once, (to the Queen) Mean- 
time, Margaret, send for Angela. Tell her of this 
appaUing state of affairs. She will surely see clearly 
where her duty Ues. 

Queen. Yes, I'll come with you. How terrible ! 
(crosses and exits l. u. e.) 



Act II.] A ROYAL FAMILY. 53 

King. Then, Berascon, let us go. Further riots ? 
Dear, dear. And yet we sent three delegates to the 
Peace Conference. 

{Exeunt, l. u. e., King, Queen and Duke, l., the 
Cardinal looking after them.) 

QuEEN-M. I cannot fathom you, Cardinal. Your 
admirably affected simplicity of soul seems to me to 
screen a complete knowledge of everything you 
oughtn't to know. 

Cardinal. I am relieved to hear it, ma'am. 

QuEEN-M. Why, pray ? 

Cardinal. Because to be gauged by one of your 
Majesty's lofty standard (Queen-Mother rises and 
goes L. Picks up tvork) and high purpose would reveal 
so many short-comings. 

QuEEN-M. {going up c.) Possibly. However, 
I imagine that your success in this life will continue. 
{goes up c, she turns to him) As to a future state,, 
one cannot prophesy with quite as much conviction. 
But the air of mystery that surrounds you, together 
with — if you will pardon my saying so — a certain 
unswerving assurance, will no doubt end in your 
reigning at the Vatican, {exit, l. u. e.) 

Cardinal, {bowing low) Au revoir, ma'am. A 
good woman, but she feels her age. {goes r. and 
plucks flower) 1 think, had it been mine to suggest 
an alteration in the scheme of life, I'd have had all 
folks born old — old and horribly experienced — so 
that, as the years rolled on, they grew younger and 



54 A ROYAL FAMILY. [Act II 

younger, simpler and simpler, till at the end they 
passed to their last quiet sleep with the white souls of 
childhood. T was not, however, consulted. 

{Enter Baron Holdensen, l. u. e.) 

Ah, my dear Baron ! Ever plotting ? 

Baron. Yes, Eminence. Spreading the net for 
these notorious patriots. 

Cardinal. Good. Be careful, lest you trip your- 
self in its meshes, [goes l., reading hook) 

Baron, [coming down c.) And as we are on the 
subject, I may tell you that there is a spy of the 
patriots in the household here. 

Cardinal. Dear, dear ! A spy ! And whom do 
you suspect ? [sits l.) 

Baron. Your Eminence's protege, Count Berna- 
dine. 

Cardinal. Tut ! tut ! tut ! Bernadine ! And 
pray on what grounds ? 

Baron. For many reasons. One being that I 
have turned up the Kurlandese Almanack, and I find 
there's no such title as Bernadine. 

Cardinal. No, I fancy his title was conferred 
very recently. 

Baron. Pardon me, no. I wired an inquiry to 
the Kurlandese police. The answer came, " No such 
title here. Try Servia or Montenegro." [showing 
telegram) 

Cardinal. This is very serious. 

Baron, [crossing to r. then hack up c.) And 



Act II.] A ROYAL FAMILY. 55 

further, I find he's a mystery to the entire household. 
He can give no account of himself. I am waiting now 
for an opportunity of questioning him closely. 

(Prince sings off r.) 

Cardinal. Your chance has come then, for here 
he is. {rises) 

Baron. Will your Eminence remain within hear- 
ing ? 

Cardinal. By all means, (sits again) Baron, 
this is a very great shock to me, the more so when I 
reflect on your unfailing perspicacity. 

Baron. 1 think your Eminence will find that my 
suspicions are not without foundation. 

{Enter Prince, r. to c. He is in rough tiveeds.) 

How do you do, Count ? 

Prince. Thanks, I'm all right, {comes down, 
L. c.) Ah, your Eminence, feeling the heat ? 

Cardinal. No, Bernadine, a little drowsy, that's 
all. (Prince goes back to n.) 

Baron. Count Grenadine, I think ? 

Prince. Eh ? Yes — no, no ; Bernadine, not 
Grenadine. 

Baron. A thousand pardons, it's sc czzy t:^ forget 
a name. 

Prince. But I hadn't forgotten, {sits on hank 
R. and ties up shos lace) 

Baron. True, your memory is remark-^ble. I 
understand you've recently come from Kurland. 

Prince. More or less. 



56 A ROYAL FAMILY. [Acrr IL 

Baron. They tell me the country is somewhat 
unsettled. 

Prince. Oh ! Shockingly. 

BAron. We are much the same here. Stirred, I 
hear, by Kurlandese Socialists in disguise. (Car- 
dinal chuckles) 
Prince. I should think that's quite likely. 
Baron. Possibly you have heard of them. Per- 
haps even from them ? 

Prince. No. But you'd batter ask the Cardinal. 
He knows ail about it. He's the most hardened 
intriguer living. 

Baron. Indeed ! You surprise me. 
Prince. You should hear what he says about tli€ 
Arcacian police. 
Bar )N. Does he presume to criticize us ? 
Prince. He says that the Department as at 
present administered leaves nothing to be desired — ■ 
on the part of the criminal classes. 

Baron. Oh, does he ? 1 attach no weight to His 
Eminence's criticisms. Now tell me, do you imagine 
the proposed Royal betrothal will tend to smoothe 
affairs in Kurland ? 
Prince. I hope so. (rises, goes up c.) 
Baron. Ah ! you hope so. That's very interest- 
ing, but evasive, (follouing him up) Possibly you 
are in the Diplomatic Service. 
Prince. In a sense I am. 

Baron. Indeed, I might have guessed as much, 
from one with a manner so — so polished. 



Act II.] A ROYAL FAMILY. 57 

Prince, (goes r.) So highly polished indeed, as 
to be extremely slippery. (Cardinal chuckles, Baron 
looks at him, he then reads again) And you ? 

Baron. Well, suppose you guess, {puts foot on 
hank) 

Prince. Judging from ? 

Baron. My personality. 

Prince. Then I take you to be an entertaining, 
but unsophisticated detective. 

Cardinal, [laughs) That's very good ! Capital! 

Baron, {annoyed) Ha ! That's capital ! 

Prince. By the way, you are not by any chance 
the Chief of Police, are you ? 

Baron. Why do you ask ? 

Prince. Only that the Cardinal told me I should 
possibly find that official in the garden, hunting for 
mare's nests, [exit R. u. e., humming a tune) 

Cardinal. Eh ? What was that he said last ? 
{rousing himself) 

Baron. I prefer not to repeat it. It was stupid 
— untrue— and in short, a libel, [exit, R. u. e., leaving 
Cardinal alone) 

Cardinal. I'm afraid he's annoyed. Bernadine 
shouldn't betray my little confidences. (Angela 
sings off R.) It required such a mental effort to follow 
his subtle catechizing, that I feel quite drowsy. It's 
a fatiguing day. {reads tivo lines of Latin and closes 
his eyes, pretending to sleep) 

(Angela continues her song as she enters, r. u. e., car- 



68 A ROYAL FAMILY. [Act 1L 

rying fishing rod and creel. She comes down c. 
As she finishes she catches sight of Cardinal.) 

Angela. Oh ! His Eminence ! and asleep — fast 
asleep ! I mustn't waken him. {looks at Car- 
dinal) So we will be quite quiet and count the 
basket, {kneels on hank r.) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 — 
all my own catching, and here's one that he caught. 
(Cardinal looks) I tied a ribbon to it so that I 
should know it. It's quite tiny, and yet I think I 
like it better than the others. There's something odd 
in that— why should I ? {puts creel on bank) Oh ! 
there you are, brown rabbit — waiting for your 
dandelion, are you ? Then here you are. Now tell 
me, wise but greedy bunny, how is a girl to know if 
she'll ever fall in love or not ? 

{During the above the Prince appears at back, n. u. e., 
and comes down behind her quietly.) 

Prince. B}^ asking the man who has caused her 
any doubt on the subject. 

Angela. Oh ! I'd never do that, {turning 
quickly) Hush ! {rises. Indicates Cardinal. Prince 
turns) He's fast asleep. 

Prince, {crosses and sits, to r. of her on bank R. 
Plucks reed) Why not try the old game with this 
blow-away, " I love him, I love him not," and so on ? 

Angela, {taking it from him) No, I won't be 
responsible for any vegetable analysis of my private 
emotions. 



Act II.] A ROYAL FAMILY. 59 

Prince. Well, we won't quarrel. It's our last 
day together. 

Angela. You are really sorry ? 
Prince. Sorry ! Why, if the world were a play- 
ground, and you and I children in the sunshine, and 
nothing more — were you not the daughter of a king 
and I so far below you — (Cardinal drops his book) 
I say, you're sure he's asleep ? 
Angela. Yes — quite — what were you saying ^ 
Prince. That were you not the daughter of a king, 
and I so far below you, I'd ask for nothing but that 
you and I should go on playing for ever in these yel- 
low fields and purple vineyards, {about to open 
creef) 

Angela, [snatches it from him) Yes, it's a nice 
idea, but don't you think it would get a trifle mono- 
tonous after — say — about seven years, especially in 
bad weather. 

Prince. I believe that most married couples have 
experienced something of the sort, even in good 
weather. 

x4.ngela. (coldly) We are not discussing marriage. 
Prince. No ! But why shouldn't we ? 
Angela, (looking at him earnestly) Do you 
know — you won't laugh at me, will you ? 
Prince. Of course not. 

Angela. I think you are the most interesting man 
I ever — (Cardinal groans) I suppose there's no 
doubt he is asleep ? 

Prince. Let's make quite sure. 



60 A ROYAL FAMILY. [Act II, 

Angela. Yes. {rises and comes down to Car- 
dinal) Get me a blade of grass. Now 

{Business ; first she tickles his ear, then his chin, he 
moves as if in 



Prince. It's all right. 
Angela. Yes, quite all right. 

(They return R. Cardinal rubs nose.) 

Prince. You were saying ? 

Angela. I want to ask you something. Would 
you put duty — I mean the duty one owes to one's 
country — before 

Prince. Before ? 

Angela. Love. 

Prince. Ah ! I know what you are thinking of. 
I know that you shrink from this proposed marriage 
to Prince Victor, (taking both her hands) Don't, 
Princess, don't shrink from it. 

Angela. Well, really, I can hardly see what it's 
got to do with you. 

Prince. It may have nothing to do with me as 
you see me now, but I — I want to plead my master's 
cause, in the interests of humanity. 

Angela. What do you mean ? 

Prince. Not half an hour ago, telegrams came to 
the effect that risings had broken out on the frontier, 
and that eleven men had been killed. 

Angela. Ah ! don't tell me that ! 

Prince. Yes, it's true, and this will go on and on— 



Act II.] A ROYAL FAMILY. ftl 

(a look at Cardinal) — and on, until "quiet is restored 
by some means. Then surely if an act of sacrifice on 
your part, whatever the suffering to yourself, can 
bring peace to the country, you will place patriotism 
on a higher plane than love can ever attain to. 

Angela. You don't know what you ask. 

Prince. I think I do, and yet I ask it. 

Angela, (dreamily) Eleven silent homes. Yes ! 
—of a sudden it all seems clear. It is my duty, and 
you — (looking into his eyes) have shown it to me. But 
you ask me to leave a land of happy day-dreams, 
and enter willingly upon a life of suffering. What if 
I have already learned to love ? 

Prince. What, indeed ! 

Angela. Ah ! listen. The workers are going 
home from the vineyards. (Prince rises and goes up 
c. Angela still remains, sitting r.) Keep quite 
still ! One can almost hear the words. 

Prince. What are they ? 

Angela. They are singing, — {singing with chorus) 

" Sweet, I'm coming through the meadow, 

Sleep the vines in summer dew, 
And I see thee in the sunlight, 

Waiting for thy lover true." 

How happy they are. Poor hard-working souls ! 
Ah ! {rises) Yes, I'll do my duty, and they shall still 
sing their sunset songs, still rest in the shade of the 
vines. For there are thousands of them, and I ana 



()-2 A ROYAL FAMILY. [Act II. 

only one — a solitary girl. But ah ! (up c.) I wish 
that to-day, my last day of freedom, could last for 
ever. So linger sun, dear sun — be late and lazy in 
your setting, [coming down) Has it struck you how 
much bluer the sky is than it used to be ? 

Prince. Yes, and I never breathed such glorious 
air. I feel like a young Hercules. 

Angela. So do I. {looks at Cardinal) I never 
saw such flowers as we have seen to-day, together. 
{sits R., beckons Prince to sit and gives him flowers) 
Do you know why I gave you the rosebud this morn- 
ing. 

Prince, (sitting on her right) No ! Why ? 

Angela. Because I had never seen such a splendid 
one before, and I wanted to be unselfish and give it 
away. And when you wore it, somehow it looked 
more beautiful than ever. But everything has 
seemed so wonderful since you came. The birds 
never used to sing as they sing now. And wasn't it 
fun to-day, when we found the little waterfall play- 
ing a tune like the love duet in " Tristan." The odd 
thing is, that I never thought the place so attractive 
before. 

(Song heard again.) 

Prince. It's an ideal spot for lovers, isn't it, 
Angela ? 

(Cardinal opens his eyes wide, then closes them again 
quickly.) 

Angela, (remembering, rises) Oh, hush ! you 



Act II.] A ROYAL FAMILY. 63 

mustn't call me that. I've been forgetting. I'm 
not free, and I owe a duty to others. How did 
you pronounce my name ? 

(Cardinal beats time to the singing.) 



Prince. Ange 

Angela. No, perhaps you'd better not. [turns 
and sees Cardinal nodding in time to the music. 
Exeunt on tiptoe r. i. e.) 

Cardinal, {laughs, rises and picks up snuffbox) 
I haven't felt so young for years. I believe, had I 
been a layman, I could have made love almost as 
well, if not better. 

[Re-enter Angela, r. i. e., looking thoughtful.) 

Ah, Princess ! 

Angela. I have great things to tell you, Emin- 
ence. My eyes have been opened, and I shall prove 
myself a true daughter of my dear country. 

Cardinal. My child, you mean to 

Angela. Yes ; I will marry Prince Victor. 

Cardinal. And what fairy godmother has wrought 
such a change in the heart of my daughter ? 

Angela. Well he — it — it wasn't exactly a god- 
mother, it was a man — a young man. 

Cardinal, [crosses to her, r.) An agreeable young 
man ? 

Angela. Oh, very, and very good-looking. It 
was Count Bernadine. 



«4 A ROYAL FAMILY. [Act 1L 

Cardinal, (sits on hank) Oh ! he pleaded Prince 
Victor's cause, did he ? 

Angela, (kneels by him). Yes, and so beauti- 
fully. You can't imagine with what force and pas- 
sion he pointed out my duty to me. I was quite 
carried away. 

Cardinal. And so, no doubt, was he. 

Angela. And yet, father, I beheve — oh ! how shall 
1 say it ? that he — Count Bernadine — loves me. 

Cardinal. Is it possible ? But surely my young 
friend hasn't presumed to make a declaration ? 

Angela. Not exactly. He's been wonderfully 
careful, but I think it's in the air. 

Cardinal. Ah ! 

Angela. You see, wherever I go you'll find him 
somewhere near. (Cardinal looks round) Don't 
look round, but I happen to know that he's watching 
us from the bank. I've guessed his secret from little 
things. 

Cardinal. Such as ? 

Angela. Well, he seizes my hands and gazes into 
my eyes, where most people would only say " How 
are you ? " Another odd thing is, that although he 
says he can walk a mile in twelve minutes, when 
we're together, it takes quite two hours and a half. 
You've no idea how marvellously he contrives that 
we should escape from everybody but ourselves. 
ithe Prince appears at back and coughs) You hear 
him ? He thinks we don't know he's there, but I 
knew he was. 



Act II.] A ROYAL FAMILY. 66 

Cardinal. Tnen I'll leave you. (rises and goes 
to tree l. and spicks up umbrella) The holiday is all 
but over, and I want the last few hours to give you 
many happy memories, {turning) Ah ! my dear 
Bernadine, where have you been ? 

(Angela goes up on bank r.) 

Prince. Oh, revelling in the scenery of Cassantra. 

Cardinal. And in which part of the picture do 
you find the greatest beauty ? 

Prince. In the foreground, just where the Princess 
is standing. 

Cardinal. With your leave, my daughter, I'll 
step out of the picture. 

Angela. Yes, yes, I know you're afraid of the 
damp. There's a dew on the flowers already, {goes 
down R. Gathering flowers) 

Cardinal. Remember on no accou^it must you 
disclose your identity to her until I tsll you. 

Prince. I have promised. 

Cardinal. She's a wayward child, and love is -jftsn 
ousted by pride. 

{Enter Duke of Berascon, l. u. e., passing 
Cardinal.) 

Ah, Duke! 

{The Duke gives a low bow. Exit l. u. e.) 

Duke. The Qaeen Ferdinand has sent me to find 
you. Princess. 

Angela. Then please don't, {goes l.) 



66 A ROYAL FAiNIlLY. [Act II. 

Duke. Certainly not. 1 shall retinn without the 
least idea of where you are. 

Angela. Ani if they send you again, I shall prob- 
ably be at my devotions in the Oratory, and must not 
be disturb 3d. 

Duke. Your devotions in the Oratory. Yes — 
I quite understand. 

Angela. Thank you so much. 
Prince. We shall be most grateful. 
Angela. Grateful ! This has nothing to do with 
you ! 

Duke. Certainly not, sir. I fail to see how you 
are to profit by the Princess's picturesque adaptation 
of the truth, {exit, l. u. e.) 

(Angela down l., (jathering flowers.) 

Prince. Are these for me ? {going to her) 

Angela. No. Every flower has a meaning. 
{crosses to r.) Do you know our language of flowers ? 

Prince. Not I. 

Angela. Then take some of these and I'll teach 

you. {sits R.) 

Prince, {sits l. 0/ her) Yes, do. To begin with 
you might give me these forget-me-nots. 

Angela. No, that oughtn't to be necessary. 

Prince. Of course not. I beg your pardon. 

Angela. Now give me one, and I'll tell you what 
it means. 

Prince. Here is a rose, a deep red rose. 

Angela. Oh, you mustn't give me that. 



i 



Act II.] A ROYAL FAMILY. 67 

Prince. Why not ? 

Angela. Becauss it means you cannot live apart 
from me. 

Prince. Then I do indeed give it to you. 

Angela. How dare you say that ? Haven't you 
been urging me to marry Prince Victor ? 

Prince. To marry him, yes, not necessarily to 
love him. Give me a flower and I'll tell you its 
meaning in Kurlandese. {takes one) This one, for 
instance, means that you wish to marry. 

Angela. That's not true. You know it isn't. 
Take it back, please, I'll have this, [takes a calceo- 
laria) 

Prince. Why, you don't know what you've done. 
That's worse — the significance of that's enormous. 
(kneeling and facing her) It means that you love the 
human being nearest to you — {she drops the floiver) 
and are ready to seal the compact with a kiss. 

Angela. Oh ! that's its meaning in Kurlandese, 
is it? 

Prince. Yes. 

Angela. Ah ! Well, in Arcacian it means that 
you're an extremely forward young man. Besides, 
I beUeve you're inventing a language of your own. 
It's quite absurd that every flower I choose should 
mean that I love you. {rises) 

Prince, {rises) I wish I could invent a language 
to tell you all I feel, but there's no vocabulary in the 
world for that. But if I could give every flower in 
the garden a voice, I'd gather them, lay them at your 



68 A ROYAL FAMILY [Act II. 

feet, and they would cry, " He loves you ! he loves 
you ! " 

Angela. Count Bernadine ! 

Prince. It's true. There come moments in our 
lives when the world drifts away and we float to a 
clearer air beyond it. I feel as if the wind that is 
touching us now had swept through a forest of roses 
and I hear a voice whisper, " The summer is passing, 
take her to your heart before the roses fade and die." 

Angela. I seem to have read that somewhere. 

Prince. Yes ! You've read it in my eyes. 
Angela, I know I have urged you to marry a man, 
the mere sound of whose name is hateful to you, and 
I still ask you to make that sacrifice. But let us be 
lovers to-day, that each of us may carry in our hearts 
for ever a memory pure and sweet. Angela, I love 
you. 

Angela. I had a presentiment that you were 
going to. 

Prince. And you ? 

Angela. I — I only know that I am trembling 
with a happiness so strange and new, that it almost 
hurts me. I want to cry out my secret to the sun, 
and whisper it to the silent things, the stars, and 
flowers, and pools of quiet water. For I can't keep 
it, 1 can't keep it. {lays her head on his shoulder) 

Prince. My darhng ! {embraces her) I can't 
bear it, she's breaking her heart. I must tell her. 

{Catches sight of Cardinal, who has entered at hack c. 
and is standing silently with his finger on his lip 



Act II.] A ROYAL FAMILY. $9 

as if forbidding him to disclose his identity. Exii 
Cardinal, off r. u. e. Prince kneels and "puts 
his arm round Angela.) 

Angela. Dearest, I shall always be proud to 
think that I've been given the love of one, who, 
sacrificing himself, has urged me to do what I know 
to be right, and marry a — a — another — [breaking 
down) man. And in the days, darhng, when we are 
both old and white-haired, we'll still have the memory 
of this quiet summer evening and the dear old garden 
where love first came. 

Prince. Angela ! [kisses her hand) 

Angela. And to-morrow I shall be back in the 
hateful palace at Caron. 

Prince. So shall I. 

Angela. What ? 

Prince, [rises) I go in attendance on Prince 
Victor. 

Angela. Ah ! [rises) Then let our last good- 
bye be spoken there, in Caron. 

Prince. Yes, yes. 

Angela. Find your way to the old armoury an 
hour before the ball, and I shall be there. Promise. 

Prince. Yes, I promise at any cost. 

Angela. Hush ! 

Prince. What is it ? 

QuEEN-M. [off L.) Behave yourself. Take my 
hand and walk properly. 

Angela. Voices ! and coming nearer. I hear 



70 A ROYAL FAMILY. [Act IL 

grandmother speaking — I mustn't be seen here with 
you — my eyes would tell them that I've been crying. 
Quick ! down this alley, {as if going, r. u. e.) 

Prince. No, no, you can't go there. I see 
Holdensen. {she comes down and looks ; they cross 
stage as if going up L.) The Cardinal ! 

Angela, (l. c, stops him) No, that won't do. 
The servants are coming with tea. Oh, we are in a 
trap. 

Prince, (r. c.) Let's face it out. 

Angela. Fact it out ! That's all very well for 
you — you'll merely be ordered away, but I've got to 
live with these people. Tell me — can you chmb a 
tree ? 

Prince. Why, of course I can. 

Angela. Very well then, we'll hide in this one. 
You follow me — no, you go first, {business : Prince 
proceeds to climb up tree followed by Angela, during 
which the dialogue continues as follows) Now do be 
careful. Remember I'm below you. 

Prince. Can I help you ? 

Angela. No, thanks. I'm getting on all right ; 
but it's all most undignified. 

Prince. I don't think that matters. 

Angela. Perhaps not to you, but you forget I'm 
to be a queen, ajid queens oughtn't to cHmb trees. 

Prince. There's a splendid leafy nook up here. 

Angela. Then give me your hand. 

Prince. There — and my heart goes with it. 

Angela. Oh, please don't say that sort of thing 



Acr II.] A ROYAL FAMILY. 71 

now. I'm much too excited. Let us have an 
interval. 

(By this time they are seated side by side on a stout 
branch so arranged that they are in full view of the 
whole audience, but evidently concealed from the 
people on the stage below them) 

Prince. I'll put my arm round you for safety, 
shall I ? 

Angela. Yes, I think you'd better — for safety, 
but not as a recreation. After all, one isn't up a tree 
every day — and it's just a little embarrassing. 

Prince. Embarrassing — I like it. 

Angela. So do I — awfully. But my conscience 
is horribly shocked. 

Prince. Oh, that's all right. Conscience isn't 
really a hard taskmaster. He's so used to failures. 
{kisses her hand) 

Angela. Ah ! if we could only make a little nest 
up here and Uve like two love-birds for ever — and 
ever — and — Hush ! here are the tea-things. 

(Enter, l., four liveried Footmen ivitk tea-tray, silver 
kettle, etc.) 

Good heavens ! we'll be up here for hours. We 
shan't get any tea. The mere sight of it n^ikes me 
hungry, especially that cake with the pink sugar. 
Do you really love me ? 

Prince. Dearest, with my whole heart and 



72 A ROYAL FAMILY. [Act II. 

Angela. Well, don't shake the tree like that. 
Oh ! here's some one — it's the Cardinal. 

{Enter Cardinal, r.) 

Cardinal, {to Servants) I presume the tea- 
table is for their Majesties ? 

Servants. Yes, your Eminence. They're in the 
rockery close at hand, and will be here in a moment. 

Cardinal. Thank you, 

(Servants ivitMraw l. u. e.) 

Angela, {gives a little cry) Oh ! 

Prince. What is it ? 

Angela. There's a caterpillar on my neck. 

Prince. Hush ! He's heard us. 

Cardinal, {who has heard the voices and is looking 
up) I seem to know that voice, and, dear me {looking 
up in tree), what remarkable fruit this tree seems to 
bear. Four soles and heels — two large, two small — 
Merciful powers ! Princess ! What are you doing ? 

Angela. Oh, please don't give us away. Eminence. 
You see, we were merely strolling about, and we got 
up here to see the view — only you can't, because it's 
so absurdly leafy — and we're taking a rest, because 
it's so awfully hot, and we don't want the others to 
know — as there isn't a chaperon up here, and grand- 
mother is so awfully particular. 

Cardinal, {puts book and umbrella on seat l.) 
1 see. The most natural thing in the world, and I 



Act II.] A ROYAL FAMILY. 73 

suppose that as once I was young myself, I must keep 
your secret. But you'll get no tea. 

Angela. No. I thought perhaps you might help 
us to get that cake. (Cardinal looks for cake) Under- 
neath the table — the one with the pink sugar. It 
looks so tempting. 

Cardinal. And temptation means a foretaste of 
the sins we hope to enjoy, {gets cake) Now, Bernadine, 
can you catch ? 

Prince. Yes. 

(Cardinal throws cake, which Prince catches.) 

Angela. There ! Now I've got it. Thank you 
ever so much. You quite understand that we are 
only up here because we are awfully tired, and can't 
help it. 

Cardinal. That is perfectly obvious. I can 
imagine nothing more restful than your present 
position. Are you quite secure ? 

Angela. Oh yes, I'm holding on to the tree, and 
he's holding on to me. 

Cardinal. Then keep quite still. They're coming. 

{Enter l. i. e., King, Queen, Queen-Mother and 
Prince Charles.) 

Queen-M. {to Cardinal, who is bowing low) Ah, 
Cardinal, you'll have tea with us, won't you ? 
Cardinal. I shall be deHghted, ma'am. 

(Charles goes to sugar basin. King smacks his hand) 

King. Ah, naughty ! Don't touch, {as they sit) 



74 A ROYAL FAMILY. [Act IT. 

You can't imagine, Cardinal, how I shall miss the 
daily intercourse that you and I have enjoyed here. 
A King has so few friends of his own rank. There 
are only a matter of ten sovereigns of any importance 
in Europe, and we are so scattered. 

(Queen pours out tea. Cardinal takes cup to Queen- 
Mother on seat r.) 

QuEEN-M. And the expense of royal meetings is so 
enormous. 

Queen. Now, Charles dear, let me see you drink 
your t3a prettily. 

Charles. I don' wan' to drink prettily, I wan' a 
piece of cake. 

Queen. You must first eat your bread and butter. 

Charles. I don' wan' to eat bread and butter. 

King, {rises) You must and you shall eat bread 
and butter. As your father's son, it is your duty to 
do so. Margaret, be firm with the child, as I am. 
You must learn obedience, my child, in the interests 
of both your country and your digestion. 
(Cardinal gives Charles bread and butter and goes c.) 

Queen-M. By the way, where is Angela ? {the 
couple in the tree clutch each other suddenly. To 
Cardinal) Have you seen her ? 

Cardinal. Er — yes — I saw her a few minutes ago. 
here. 

Queen-M. Oh, really ? And was she alone ? 

Cardinal. Not altogether. 1 was with her. 

{Gives King bread and butter. He places plate on table) 



Act II.] A ROYAL FAMILY. 75 

QuEEN-M. And no one else ? 

Cardinal. Yes. Now I think of it, my young 
friend, Bernadine, was somewhere near, [takes cup 
from Queen arid stands r.) 

QuEEN-M. T thought so. Really, my dear Louis, 
you must employ a more athletic chaperon than T 
can ever hope to be, for to be in charge of Angela 
involves competing in a sort of obstacle race, (to 
Cardinal) Where did they go ? 

Cardinal, {chuckles) Er — er — well, I last saw 
them disappearing into the trees. 

QuEEN-M. She is a most trying child, and I'm 
extremely sorry for her future husband. 

King. Really, my dear mother, why sorry ? 

QuEEN-M. Because she appears to be quite ready 
to love anybody except the person who has been 
officially selected to receive her affection. 

King. It's all very annoying. Truly the Enghsh 
poet was right when he wrote " uneasy Hes the head 
that wears a crown." 

QuEEN-M. Still it would be much more uneasy 
were the crown removed. 

King. Yes, for nations have a careless, but 
painful trick of removing the head as well. 

Queen. But we have no proof that she's in love 
with Count Bernadine, have we, Cardinal ? 

Cardinal. I hardly dare to express an opinion 
on the sentiments entertained by one so exalted as 
your daughter, (puts cup on table) 

King. Your Eminence's reticence is perfectly 



76 A ROYAL FAMILY. [Act IL 

natural, for it must be obvious to the most casual 
observer, that T am gently, but with an iron hand, 
moulding my daughter's destiny. Only last night 
she kissed me several times, and intimated that she 
beUeved she was beginning to understand what love 
meant. 1 at once cabled that expression of opinion 
to Prince Victor to Kurland. 

Charles. Boo-hoo. 

Queen. Charles, what are you crying for ? 

Charles. Gan-mother promised me a cake with 
pink sugar. 

QuEEN-M. Yes, by the way, I especially ordered 
a cake with sugar of roses on it. Where is it ? 

{Great excitement in the tree, the cake comes down ivith a 
flop behind the Cardinal.) 

Cardinal. It seems to have rolled here, ma'am. 
{picks it up and places in on a plate and hands it to 
Queen-Mother) 

QuEEN-M. But some one's been eating it, and 
there's none of the sugar roses left. Was any one 
Ikere before we came ? 

King, {with a smile) His Eminence was near the 
table. 

(Charles goes to Queen.) 

QuEEN-M. But I'm quite sure his Eminence 
would have waited for us. Angela must have been 
here. Ah ! here comes the Duke. 

{Enter Duke of Berascon, r. u. e.) ; 



Act II. ] A ROYAL FAMILY. 77 

{giving cake to King, who puts it under table) Will you 
be good enough, Duke, to send some of the servants 
to look for Princess Angela ? 

Duke. Certainly, ma'am, {exit, r. u. e.) 

King. Possibly Angela prefers her last day here in 
soHtude. She must naturally be agitated at the near 
prospect of the arrival of Prince Victor to-morrow. 

QuEEN-M. If that youth had the vaguest idea of 
Angela's irresponsible and hare-brained temperament, 
he would be so agitated that he wouldn't arrive at all. 
Fortunately I beheve he's a very weak and easily- 
managed creature. 

Cardinal. I never observed these traits in his 
youth. 

Queen-M. No ; at times the clergy are singularly 
unobservant. 

Queen. Louis, I never remember a year when the 
trees were so leafy, {looking up) 

King. Yes, there's great luxuriance. This one, 
for example. 

Cardinal. And have you seen the beautiful lights 
in the distance just there ? {drawing away their atten- 
tion. Agitation in the tree) 

Queen-M. It's a most remarkable tree. There's 
no breeze and yet it keeps on rusthng. {looks up) 
Cardinal, what are those four flat things. 

Cardinal. Er — er — they resemble — er — 

QuEEN-M. Feet ! 
(The feet are rapidly drawn up as far as possible; 
Charles rises and puts down plate.) 



78 A ROYAL FAMILY. [Act IL 

QuEEN-M. [turning to the King) Louis, there are 
human beings in that tree. 

King, {rising and going c.) Oh, nonsense ! It 
would be a gross breach of propriety for any one to 
dangle over us during a meal. 

(Angela gives a cry.) 

Charles, (gets on chair) I see naughty Angela. 
(tries to climb tree. Queen-Mother 'pulls him hack 
each time) 

Queen, (calling) Angela ! Are you there, child ? 

Angela. Ye-es. 

Charles. I wan' to go up the tree. 

Queen-M. This is perfectly appalling. 

King, (severely) What are you doing ? 

Angela. I'm having a rest. 

Charles. I wan' to go up the tree. 

Queen-M. Get down, child. But Louis, she's not 
alone. 

King. Oh ! you are not alone up there ? 

Angela. Well, not exactly. It didn't seem 
quite safe to be alone, and so 

QuEEN-M. Of course — what have I said all along ? 
Count Bsrnadine is with her. 

Prince. It's quite true, ma'am. We've been 
playing a practical joke, that's all. 

Queen-M. And yet I don't observe that any of 
us are excessively amused. 

Charles. Father, I wan' to go up the tree. 

King, (passes boy to Queen) Silence, child ! 



Act II.] A ROYAL FAMILY. 79 

Come down, both of you. Ever since you arrived at 
the years of understanding, Angela, I have implored 
you to remember the high station to which you have 
been called. Yet, you persistently lower it. 

Angela. Father dear, all my imperfections of 
character are hereditary. 

King. You accuse me. 

Angela. No, npt you, father dear. Hereditary 
failings skip a generation. 

Queen-M. An insolent indictment directed at 
myself. 

King. I have said " Come down.'' 

Angela. But I can't. How can we possibly 
do it if people are looking. 

King. Oblige me, Count Bernadine, by removing 
your arm from my daughter's waist. 

Angela. I won't allow him to. If he does I shall 
fall. 

Queen-M. Oh, my dear Louis ! This is treason ! 

Queen, {lets Charles go. He crosses in front 
of King and stands looking up into tree) My child, my 
child, you are breaking our hearts. 

Angela, {tearfully) I know I am. And you're 
breaking mine. 

Queen-M. Where is your boasted firmness now, 
Louis ? 

King. I am just going to exhibit it in its most 
marked form, {brings hand down on Charles' head, 
then passes him io Queen) 

Charles. I wan' to go up the tree ? 



80 A ROYAL FAmILY. [Act II. 

Queen. Silence, child ! 

(During tJie rest of the scene sunset effects.) 

King. For the third and last time, " Come doivn.''^ 

Angela. We are coming. 

Queen, (agitated) No, no, remain up a moment 
longer, the servants are coming, and we mustn't 
have a scandal, (goes up l., and sits, taking Charles 
with her) Charles, you are not to speak. 

(All group themselves as if nothing had happened.) 

(Enter four liveried Servants.) 

King. Well? 

Servants. Your Majesty, we have looked every- 
where, and her Royal Highness is not to be found. 

(Enter r. the Duke of Berascon.) 

Duke. I have just seen her Royal Highness, sir. 
King. Indeed, where is she ? 
Duke. I have this moment left her in the oratory, 
at her devotions. 

Charles. Oh, I say ! Oh ! 

curtain. 



/ 



~/Uc, 



Window / 

laL/ 



^1 Door [_ 



Clock 



ratory 



/ 



Curtains 



n 



ACT III. 



n 



Fire- 
plice 



\ 



Scene 1. — The Armoury of the Palace at Caron. A 
fine oak-walled room, the ivalls of which are pro- 
fusely covered with trophies of arms and armour. 
At hack, R. c.,a mullionedwindoiv. l. c, two doors. 
L. an imynense fireplace, r., a recess fitted as an 
oratory and partly curtained. Old oak furniture 
and polished floor. The curtains before the oratory 
are closed. 

As the curtain rises, Anselm is discovered read- 
ing by the fire. Reading-lamp on table by his side. 
He puts down book and makes up fire. Ten o'clock 
strikes. 

The upper door, l. c, opens and Angela enters. She 
goes to window and looks out. On turning she sees 
Anselm, she stops, hesitating, then comes forward. 

Angela, {coming doivn) Father Anselm ! 



82 A ROYAL FAMILY. [Act III. 

Anselm. (iuniimj) Princess ! 

Angela. Why, — what are you doing here ? 

Anselm. I am waiting for his Eminence. The 
Armoury has baen placsd at his disposal, all the other 
rooni-s being required for to-night's ceremony. 

Angela. That's rather inconvenient. 

Anselm. Do you wish to see his Eminence ? 
(going up) 

Angela. No, it doesn't matter. The fact is, I had 
arranged to say good-bye here to — to a friend. 

AnsELM. And you wish me to leave you ? 

Angela, (comes and sits hy fire. Anselm comes 
down c.) Oh, there's no particular hurry, as he isn't 
here yet, and I shall see so little of you now. You 
knov/, of course, that to-night I shall be formally 
betrothed to Prince Victor ? 

Anselm. Yes, T know it. 

Angela. You can't conceive how wretched I am. 

Anselm. A great happiness is nearer to you than 
you think. 

Angela. Ah ! so you beheve, but the only hap- 
piness that I shall ever know is, that for my country's 
sake I have made myself utterly miserable. I shall 
see little of you now — but you'll remember me in your 
prayers, won't you ? 

Anselm. Yes, Princess, always. Yet, after to- 
night, we shall never meet again. 

Angela. Never ? 

Anselm. To-morrow T enter the monastery of St. 
Anthony. 



Act III.] A ROYAL FAMILY. 83 

Angela. But that is a living death, is it not ? 
Anselm. In a sense it is. It is a long good-bye to 
the outer world. 

Angela. Ah ! Well, you've one consolation. 
You haven't got to marry anybody. 

Anselm. No, I'm quite free from that risk. 

Angela. I wish that women could go into retreat 
whey they don't want to marry. By the way, what is 
the time. 

Anselm. (looking at eight-day dock) Ten o'clock 
struck a few moments ago. 

Angela, {rises) Oh, then — ^ perhaps — if you 
wouldn't mind 

Anselm. We'll say good-bye. 

Angela. Yes, please. 

Anselm. Then good-bye, Princess, good-bye ! 

Angela, (looking into fire) We're both in the 
same boat, Father Anselm, and on the prow is painted 
the word " unhappiness." 

Anselm. Yes, Princess, but we know that the 
rudder is duty. 

Angela. And you will step ashore to the silent 
shadow of the monastery, I to the feverish ghtter of 
the world, {turns to him) But there will always be a 
link between us. 

Anselm. A link ? 

Angela. Yes, for no one can touch or break the 
chain of the sorrows that are known only to the 
sufferers. Is this your book ? 

Anselm. Yes. 



M A ROYAL FAMILY. [Act III. 

Angela. Then may I have it as a keepsake ? 

Anselm. Will you take it ? 

Angela, {takes it) Thanks. 

Anselm. Good-bye, Princess, good-bye ! 

Angela. Good-bye. {they clasp hands and look 
into each other^s eyes, then At^selm turns and exits L. c. 
Clock strikes the quarter. She puts down book, goes to 
window, looks out, goes to curtains r.) Why doesn't 
he come ? Why doesn't he come ? 

{Enter Countess Carini, l. c.) 

What is it, Countess ? Surely I asked you to wait 
for me in the ante-room ? 

Countess, {above table) Yes, ma'am, but unfor- 
tunately the Queen Ferdinand gave me most peremp- 
tory orders that I was not to leave you even for a 
moment. 

Angela, {sits r. of table) That's so like grand- 
mother. But, Countess, I'm going to take you into 
my confidence. I know I can trust you. Count 
Bernadine is coming here to say good-bye — and T 
want to be alone with him, if only for a moment. 

Countess. But is it safe. Princess ? 

Angela, {rising and crossing to fire) Safe ? 
What do I care ? I tell you I ivHl see him alone. Oh, 
by the way, have you seen the Crown Prince ? 

Countess. Not yet. It seems he arrived quite 
quietly and unseen by any one a few hours ago, and I 
hear he will not leave his rooms until just before the 
ceremony, {noise outside window) 



Act III.] A ROYAL FAMILY. 85 

Angela. What noise is that ? 
Countess. It sounds like some one beneath the 
window, (goes to ivindow, opens it, and looks out) 
Good heavens ! there's a man cHmbing up by the ivy. 
Angela. A man ? {goincj up to window) 
Countess. Princess ! {moves to stop Jier) 
Angela. Let me see. [looks out) Why, it looks 
like — oh ! it couldn't be — but, yes it is. Now, 
Countess, if you'll leave me for a moment. 

(Countess draws herself up in surprise.) 

Angela. It's only Count Bernadine, coming to — 
to call. 

CoLTNTESS. As you wish, ma'am, {crosses to 
door, turns, then exits l. c.) 

Angela, {moving over to the orator (/ and clutching 
the curtains) I'm trembling like a leaf. 

(Prince appears at window, enters, closes window and 
sinks on seat, chuckling.) 

Prince. Are you there ? 

Angela. Yes, I'm here, but who are you ? 

Prince. It's I, Bernadine. 

Angela. Oh, is it ? Well, you know, we are very 
old-fashioned in Arcacia, and visitors making a 
formal call on a princess as a rule come in by the 
door 

Prince, {coming to and putting capon table) Ah, 
yes, Princess, but I assure you 



80 A ROYAL FAMILY. [Act II L 

Angela. Oh, of course, the window is much more 
romantic. 

Prince. You don't understand. 

Angela. No, I don't. Please bolt the door. 

Prince. Oh, that's necessary for a formal call, 
is it ? (bolts door) You see, when I reached the 
steps that lead to the door — {indicating door) — this 
one, I suppose — I suddenly became aware that 1 
was being watched by Baron Holdensen. (doivn to 
table) On this I made a bolt. He followed me. 
Then came a game of hide-and-seek in the garden. I 
found myself beneath the Armoury window. . The 
ivy was thick and strong, and it didn't seem a great 
f eat to climb to the window — so here I am ! 

Angela, [coming c.) And you risked all this to 
bid me good-bye ? 

Prince. {putting his arm round her) My 
angel ! 

{They cross to fire. She seats him in chair and kneels 
L. of him.) 

Angela. Yes, your angel ! that's the worst of 
it ! I can't be more than that to you. 

Prince. Still, that's a good deal. 

Angela. There's so little solidity about an angel 
Why, you're in uniform ! 

Prince. Yes. You see, wherever Prince Victor 
goes, I must be with him. 

Angela. That's what I shall find so terribly try- 
ing ; to give my hand to one man, while my heart is 



Act III.] A ROYAL FAMILY. 87 

given to another who's standing quite near. You'll 
keep out of the way as much as possible, won't you ? 

Prince. You'll never see me so long as you're 
with Prince Victor. 

Angela. And even that seems a pity, doesn't it ? 
I should like to meet you occasionally — accidentally. 
{looking up at him) But how does it happen that 
you're wearing this star ? I thought it was only 
given to royalty. 

Prince. Oh, not in Kurland — you can buy it there 
— it's a democratic country, you know, hke France 
for example, where if you say you're a nobleman, 
*' ipso facto " — you are one. 

Angela, (rising and turning to fire) I can't 
imagine how you can be so light-hearted when you 
know we shall never meet again ! How can I believe 
that you really love me ? 

Prince, {rising, ivarmly) Love you ! I, who 
have no other thought but for you ? I, who in seeing 
you, knew that I had met my fate ! I, who cannot 
even tell you who I am 

Angela, (turns) But, surely, you're Count Ber- 
nadine ! 

Prince. Yes, I know that, (hacks to c.) 

Angela. Then what are you talking about ? 
(comes to table) 

Prince. You'll know to-night. 

Angela. To-night ! 

Prince. Angela, I know you to be a woman of 
sudden impulse, and I fear that love may turn to 



88 A ROYAL FAMILY. [Act III. 

l^itterness if you find that I have in any way deceived 
you. And if to-night you find that I am not what I 
seem to be, I ask you to remember that true love 
knows no laws, and must fight as best it can to gain 
its ends. 

Angela. Must it ? {ivithdraiviny her hand) Then 
you have been deceiving me ? 

Prince. Yes. 

Angela. How ? 

Prince. 1 can't tell you. 

Angela. Very well then, [goes r.) Good-bye. 

[Going uj) l. c, he stops her.) 

Prince. Ah ! don't leave me like that ; surely 
you can trust me ? 

Angela. I decline to trust a person who admits 
that lie has been deceiving me. But your confession 
makes the trial of to-night's betrothal Ughter. The 
first favour that I §li^ll .^-sk of Prince Victor, is your 
removal from his personal staff, (turns aivay r.) 

Prince, (nettled) But still you'll keep on loving 
me ? 

Angela. How dare you say so ? 

Prince. You never loved me so well as you do at 
this moment. 

Angela. How like a man — how mean. Under- 
stand me ! Even though at the present moment I 
may be dying to throw my arms round your neck and 
c^y " 1 love you," you will observe from my not doing 
sp, a qerjfcain sejf -restraint, a resolve never again to 



Act I|I.] A ROYAL FAMILY. B9 

yield to such weakness, however dehghtful it may 
have been. And I shall endeavour to be worthy of 
Prince Victor's devotion. 

Prince. Are you sure he'll love you ? 

Angela. He's got to — officially. He may detest 
me in private, but at least he must adore me in pubhc. 
If he doesn't, he'll find I've got a good deal of my 
grandmother in me. 

Prince. That's a horrible threat, {comes down c.) 

Angela. And there's one thing I mean to tell 
you before I go. Looking back at those far too happy 
days at Casandra, I say it was a cruel and heartless 
thing to make me open my whole heart to you and 
love you. (Prince drops in chair l. c.) You all the 
time acting as a sort of ambassador of Prince Victor, 
and seeing in me, not a girl you loved, but a Princess 
whose submission would be a splendid feather in your 
cap. Keep and waar your splendid feather, but 
relnember always you wear it at the cost of a helpless 
girl's happiness, {leans against windoiv R. c. Handle 
of door rattles) Hush ! 

Prince. What is it ? 

Cardinal, {heard off) If you'll permit me, your 
Majesty 

Angela, {round to l. c.) Can't you hear ? That's 
the Cardinal's voice, {noise again) 

King, {heard off) It's most extraordinary, 

Prince. And I hear the King's. 

Angela. They mustn't see you. You must go ! 

Prince. The window, {goes to window and opens it.) 



90 A ROYAL FAMILY. [Act UL 

Angela. Yes, quickly ! 

Prince, (at window) Merciful powers ! I daren't. 
I see Holdensen in the lamp-light below. He's 
watching this Avindow. (noise again) 

Angela, (dragging him to the oratory) Then here, 
quick ! Don't speak — ^they are at the door. (The 
Prince exits R.,she draivs the curtains close, the door 
is tried and found locked — knock) Come in ! (looks 
round, picks up ca,p from table and hands it off R.) 

King, (outside) The door is bolted. 

Angela. Oh, is it ? How stupid of them. 
(opens door) 

(Enter King and Cardinal, l. c.) 

King, (c.) So here you are ? 

Angela, (r. c.) Why, you're in uniform ! 

(Cardinal goes down r.) 

King. Yes. I've just returned from the night 
manoeuvres. I w^onder if you are aware, Angela, 
that you are a source of perennial anxiety to your 
parents ? 

(Enter Queen-Mother, l. c.) 

Angela. I know that my parents are a source of 
perennial suffering to me. 

King. I will report that remark to your grand- 
mother. 

Queen-M. (c.) There is no occasion, Louis, I 
have heard it. Your daughter, in addition to being 



Act III.] A ROYAL FAMILY. 91 

extremely imperfect as a girl, is perfectly impossible 
as a Princess. 

King. I was not aware that you had followed us, 
mother. 

QuEEN-M. (sits R. of table) Very likely. But 
here I am and here I remain, until I grasp what is 
going on. 

King, {goes round back toe.) Your rebellious tone 
and attitude, Angela, force me to beheve that in 
sparing the rod, I have spoilt the child. 

Angela. Then, father, try a change of tactics. 
Spare the child and spoil the rod. 

King, {goes round front to l.) Why are you alone 
here ? 

Angela. I'm not exactly alone. The Countess 
Carini is waiting in an adjoining room. But I 
wanted to think, to prepare myself for the awful 
ordeal to which you are forcing me. 

King. I see. That brings me to the object of 
our seeking you. (Cardinal moves over and takes 
Angela's hand gently and kindly) You have very 
dutifully consented to a formal betrothal to-night, 
and the usual slight ceremony will take place when 
you meet Prince Victor. But, if you wish it, you 
may meet him privately beforehand, in your mother's 
drawing-room. 

Angela, {goes to l. c. behind Queen-Mother) 
No — no — no. I should only break down — but if I 
meet him before the eyes of everybody, well — I am 
your daughter and I shall go through with it. I 



92 A ROYAL FAMILY. [Act IlL 

have realized that I am not considered a creature of 
flesh and blood, that I am only a political doll. 

{Sou7ids from the oratory. Pause. Queen-Mother 
looks towards r., then turns to King, then to x4.ngela) 

King. What's that ? 

(Cardinal hacks towards c, looking at curtains r.) 

Angela. Oh, it's nothing. You hear all sorts of 
queer noises in the Armoury, {backing R., bumps 
into Cardinal) 

Cardinal. xVnd they say it's haunted, you know. 

Angela, (goes to oratory) Yes, no doubt, by the 
ghosts of all the dead-and-gone princes and princesses 
whose hearts have been broken as mine is breaking 
to-night. 

King. My child, you are only approaching the 
crisis that is inevitable in the life of any beautiful young 
woman. 

QuEEN-M. Exactly. (King goes up to window) 
I suffered terribly when it was ascertained that your 
grandfather had succumbed to such attractions as I 
possessed. No doubt the beauty for which I was 
then famed has lost its freshness, but I trust there 
are still some evidences of charm of expression. 

King. There appears to be a disturbance at the 
window. 

Cardinal, (goes to windoiv and looks out) Yes, 
and if my eyes serve me right, I see friend Holdensen. 



Act TIL] A ROYAL FAMILY. n 

King, {turns to Cardinal, r.) This is very re- 
markable. 

( With a great clatter, the Baron enters through window, 
almost bumpifig against the King, whom he does 
not see in the dark. Queen-Mother goes up to 
above table.) 

Baron. Who are you ? 

King. Well — it's of no importance, but we are the 
King. 

Baron. The King ! {backs up to l. and bumps 
into Queen-Mother) 

QuEEN-M. And be good enough to realize that T 
am here. I have no desire to be bumped. 

Baron. Ten thousand pardons, sir. The room 
is dark^I did not see you. 

King. Quite so. {comes down and sits r. of table) 
But let us tell you, that although there is no written 
order to the effect, it is understood in this Palace that 
windows exist as windows, and are not to be con- 
founded with doors. It is a small point, perhaps, 
but we are scrupulously firm in matters of domestic 
detail. 

Baron. Let me explain, sir. 

King. I should Hke it of all things. (Queen- 
Mother sits L. of table) 

Baron. I'm afraid, sir, my explanation will come 
in the nature of a shock to you— and I fear also to his 
Eminence. 

Cardinal. I will try to bear it. 



94 A ROYAL FAMILY. [Act III. 

Baron. For some time past T have suspected this 
so-called Count Bernadine of being a Kurlandese 
anarchist. 

King. Bless my soul ! 

Baron. To-night, by accident, I found him lurking 
in a corridor of the Palace, and thence I tracked him 
to the gardens. Judge of my surprise when I saw 
him cUmb through this very window. 

QuEEN-M. I take it all this occurred after you 
had dined. 

King, {rises and crosses to fire) A most extra- 
ordinary tale ! You arrested him, of course ? 

Baron. Not exactly, sir. I had only reached 
the investigation stage. I got the fire escape, chmbed 
up it, and here I am. 

QuEEN-M. Yes, here you are. The question is, 
what are you going to do, and when do you propose 
to go away ? 

King. But, my dear Holdensen, you must be mis- 
taken. Our daughter has been here for quite 

Angela. Quite half an hour. 

Baron. Indeed, sir, I can hardly believe we are 
mistaken. 

Cardinal. Then you infer that he is here now ? 

Angela. Oh, how dare you ! 

King. Angela, do you know anything of this ? 

Angela, {goes to top of table. Cardinal goes 
up to clock) Father, can you suppose that your 
daughter would allow any one to come before her so 
unceremoniously ? 



Act III.] A ROYAL FAMILY. 95 

King. No, my child, I cannot. 

QuEEN-M. I can. 

Baron. It is possible that he entered unobsei-ved. 
With your Majesty's permission, I will make a 
search. 

King. We have no objection. (Baron 7noves 
towards r.) 

Angela, {turns r. and intercepts him) We can all 
help — I'll begin with the curtains here. 

Queen-M. This is all shockingly undignified. 

(Baron goes up and looks out of door l. c. They 
all begin to look about them, with the exception of 
the King and Cardinal.) 

Angela, {pretending to search behind the cur- 
tains) There's nobody here, {comes back to c.) 

Baron. No, a mere curtain would scarcely afford 
sufficient hiding for a rascal of the type we are 
hunting for. 

Cardinal. Possibly, Baron, you've come to the 
wrong window. (Prince shakes curtains) 

Queen-M. It would be amazing if a high official 
of police hit on the right one. 

(Baron goes quickly into the oratory and comes out 
again. Cardinal gets c.) 

Baron. Excuse me — I've found somebody whom 
the Princess has apparently overlooked. 

Angela. How dare you, when I told you no one 
was there ? 



Or> A ROYAL FAMILY. [Act ^^I. 

Baron, {throwing curtains open) Do you mind 
coming out please ? 

(Prince steps forward) 

King. But, unless we are very much mistaken, 
this is Count Bernadine. 

Prince. Yes, sir, T am Count Bernadine. 

Angela. And this is all my fault. 

Baron. 1 was perfectly certain that it was through 
this window that he passed. It Was impossible to 
mistake it.- 

Prince. The whole affair lies in a nutshell. I can 
explain it all in a moment. 

Cardinal, {gets to head of table) I assure you, 
sir, that everything will turn out exactly as you 
wish. Strange as it may seem, what has happened is 
part of my purpose. 

Queen-M. Will somebody kindly explain what is 
going on ? A scene hke this may quite possibly be 
the prelude to a European war. For instance, Louis, 
I remember when you were cutting your teeth, and 
were a most fractious child 

King. I really must ask you to refrain from irrele- 
vant family details. 

Baron. With your permission, sir, I have a painful 
duty to perform, {to Prince) Count Bernadine, I 
arrest you in the name of His Majesty. 

Angela. Oh ! 

Baron. On the charge of conspiring to abduct, 



Act III.] A ROYAL FAMILY. 07 

and hold as prisoner, his Royal Highness, Prince 
Victor of Kurland. 

Cardinal, (opens door l. c.) Perhaps her Royal 
Highness will be good enough to withdraw. 

Angela, {goes to table) Shall I go, fathei' ? 

King. By all means, child. I've a vague idea 
that you oughtn't to be here at all. (Cardinal 
leads her up to door) 

Angela, {as she goes out with Cardinal, l,) I only 
came to be alone — Ah ? Cardinal, my heart is 
broken. 

(King crosses to c.) 
Cardinal. And I am going to mend it. 

{Exit Angela, l. Cardinal closes the door and returns 
doion L.) 

King, {seated, looks round. Pause) We are wait- 
ing. 

Cardinal. Yes, sir. I fear your Majesty must 
refuse to sanction this arrest. 

Baron, {coming forivard) And why, pray ? 

Cardinal. Because, with praiseworthy but mis- 
directed zeal, you have been endeavouring for the 
last few days and to-night have nearly succeeded in 
arresting the Crown Prince himself, {pause) 
TMerciful powers ! 

OMNES.-The Prince himself! 

I^Why ! your Eminence ! 

QuEEN-M. I thought so. I knew it all along. 



98 A ROYAL FAMILY. [Act III. 

King. This is too much. We will not endure a 
situation, the significance of which is denied us. {to 
Baron) Lsave our presence, Baron. 

Baron. There appears to be some trifling error-^ 
{goes up) 

King. We rep sat — leave our presence. You will 
be called upon for an explanation later. 

Baron. My humble duty, sir. 

Queen-M. (to Baron) What have you been doing ? 
Something silly, I feel sure. 

(Exit Baron, l. c.) 

King, {looking at Cardinal and Prince) W^ell ? 

{The Cardinal is about to speak, bii t the Prince stops 
him) 

Prince. The fault is mine — I came to see — I 
remained to love. 

King. But — but— but — Cardinal 

Cardinal. Your Majesty — my little scheme. 

King. Schem? — eh ? Oh ! ah ! {gives his hand 
to Cardinal) My good Cardinal, you are a second 
Machiavelli ! {crosses to Prince) So you are Prince 
Victor ? 

Prince. You forgive me, sir ? 

King, {taking his hand) Can you assure me that 
you have gained my daughter's love ? 

(Cardinal goes up to hack of table) 

Prince. I thought I had, sir, but now I'm afraid 
I've lost it. 



Act III.] A ROYAL FAMILY. 99 

King. Lost it ? 

Prince. Yes, sir. Before you came, she told me 
her one ambition was to forget me. 

King. Dear, dear. 

QuEEN-M. The whole matter ought to have been 
left to me. Of course she'll hate you when she learns 
how you've tricked her. 

Cardinal. I feel sure, ma'am — for your diplomacy 
is a household word — that you advise that the 
Princess be left to find it out on meeting His Roya 1 
Highness. 

QuEEN-M. That is my advice, is it ? 

Cardinal. Yes, ma'am. 

QuEEN-M. Thank you. I didn't recognize it. 
(exits L. c.) 

(A clock strikes the half hour.) 

King, {going up l.) It is half-past ten, and we 
must be ready by eleven. We must hope for the 
best. And for the future, I shall read King Solo- 
mon's injunction as — " Put not your trust in princes " 
— unless manoeuvred by a diplomatic cardinal. 

(Cardinal oj)e7is door, l. c. ivith a loivboiv. The 
King passes out ; Prince also bowing low.) 

Cardinal. And now. Prince, for the removal of 
your moustache. 

Prince. Yes, of course I must appear " in propria 
persona." I'll go to my rooms at once. 

Cardinal, [moving toivards tipper door) There is 
no occasion to go so far. I took the liberty of making 



100 A ROYAL FAMILY. [A^t 111. 

all the necessary arrangements, (opens door and calls) 
Adolphe ! 

{Enter ttvo French Barbers l. c, dressed entirely in 
white ; one carrying white sheet and towel, the other 
a mirror, silver bowl with boiling water and shaving 
iitensils, all glittering on a tray. Adolphe drops 
down L. of table.) 

Adolphe. Monsieur le Comte est pret a se faire raser. 
Cardinal. My own barbers, Prince, and I trust 

you will honour them by accepting their services. 
Prince. This is extremely thoughtful of you. 

Cardinal. 

Cardinal. Old age finds its chiefest pleasure in 

removing the troubles of younger folk. And T knew 

there would be little time to spare, {to Adolphe) 

Depechez-vous autant que possible, c'est a dire, sans 

derange]- Monsieur le Comte. 

Adolphe. Votre Eminence pent compter sur 

nous. 

(A chair is placed facing the table. Candles are 
lighted. The Prince seats himself, the sheet is tied 
round him, one Barber makes a foaming lather, 
the other prepares to shave him. The Cardinal 
stands r. c, takes the breviary ivhich hangs at his 
side in his hands, and reads, his lips moving.) 
Barber. Does the Count prefer warm water or 

cold ? 

Prince. Hot, please. I've been in it all day. 

CURTAIN. 



Act III.] 



A ROYAL FAMILY. 



101 



Door 




n 



I'hair, whicYvX 
is put into \ 

position later \ 

for the 



ueen Mother 



Door 



Dais 



Door 



Door 



Scene 2. — A sumptuous vestibule. At the back c. a 
deep alcove filled with palms and fiowering plants, 
amongst which are groups of ivhite statuary. This 
alcove is hung with many -coloured lamps, r. 
folding-doors shoiv the entrance to a brilliantly 
lighted ball-room. Betiveen these doors and the 
alcove is the thro7ie. The floor of polished oak, 
effect of moonligh in alcove. As the curtain rises 
eight gorgeous Footmen in liveries of royal scar- 
let and gold are grouped about. At each foldi^ig- 
door two stand ivith tall gilt rods. The ivhole in- 
terior is profusely hung with garlands of red, white, 
and pink roses. There is a crotvn of roses suspended 
from the ceiling. The doors, the dais, and the 
alcove are banked up one ither side ivith masses of 
flowering exotics. 

{The Duke of Berascon enters, folloived by three 



102 A ROYAL FAMILY. [Act III. 

A.D.C.'s, L. u. "£..,011 in full cavalry uniform. They 
silently inspect the decorations, etc.) 

Duke, {tvalking right round to up R.) The ar- 
rangements seem to be quite complete. 

1st A.D.C. (c.) Arrangements do, as a rule. It's 
when the function begins, that we generally find the 
most important details have been overlooked. 

(3rd A.D.C. doivn l). 
Duke. Ah ! here come the ladies. 

(Enter, l. u. e., the Countess Carini and tivo other 
Ladies-in- Waiting. ) 

Countess, (looks round. Bows to gentlemen. Gets 
down R. c.) My dear Duke, you've made the palace a 
dream of beauty ! I suppose you designed all this 
yourself ? 

(Countess hows to 2nd A.D.C. Then the Duke 
gets R. c. doivn, hack to audience. Then speaks. 
1st Lady-in-waiting goes to 2nd A.D.C. 2nd 
Lady-in-Waiting goes up and looks at throne and 
talks to 1st A.D.C.) 

Duke. Well, it's really the work of the chief 
gardener, but of coursejl take the credit of it — that is 
to say, if the King approves. If he doesn't, then I let 
the gardener have it. 

Countess. In fact, you are a born courtier ; 
which means, a man who does nothing so gracefully 
that he appears to be quite indispensable. 

Duke. We shall have quite an exciting evening. 



Act III.] A ROYAL FAMILY. 103 

(2nd Lad y-in- Waiting comes down to l. of Countess. 
1st Lady-in-Waiting comes doivn to r. of Duke) 
I hear the happy couple have never even seen each 
other, but we're not supposed to know that. 

Countess, {goes up and sits on dais) And so, 
quite naturally, it's in all to-night's evening papers. 
You know, I can't help thinking something's hap- 
pened. I saw Baron Holdensen leave the Armoury in 
a state of extreme, but suppressed excitement. 

{During this speech 1st Lady-in- Waiting sits on 
steps R. of Countess. 2nd Lad y-in- Waiting a 
little loiver c.) 

All. Not really ? 

(TAeTA.D.C.'s with the Duke r.) 

Countess. He was followed shortly after by the 
Queen Ferdinand ; she flew, or I should say waddled 
into the Queen's boudoir (Duke crosses to l. u. e.) 
and reduced the poor Queen to tears in a moment. 
One scarcely dares to say so in the Palace, but 
royalty is very quaint in its emotions, isn't it ? 

Duke, {coming back to c.) Yes, their idiosyn- 
crasies are interesting.. For instance, when they 
travel incognito, they are excessively annoyed if 
they are not recognized by everybody. 

Countess. Then Vm told that the Qu^en Fer- 
dinand complained at the last Court function, that 
the trumpets that heralded her approach, were not 
nearly loud enough, {she rises and comes R. corner, 



104 A ROYAL FAMILY. [Act III. 

followed 6y 2nd Lad y-in- Waiting. 3rd Lady-in- 
Waiting comes down l.) 

A.D.C. Husli ! Hush ! 

{Announced off.) His Excellency the Ambassador 
from His Majesty the Sultan of Turkey. 

{Enter the Turkish Ambassador, l. u. E.,'Ae shakes 
hands with the Duke, and then joins the group and 
talks to the Countess Carini. The following are 
announced and joins the groups that are noiv forming 
over the stage, and enter into conversation. The 
chatter rises in volume until the tvhole room is talk- 
ing volubly.) 

His Excellency the Ambassadoi', from His Majesty 
the King of England, and Lady Herbert Wyndham 
Staple ton. 

The Count Verensa. The Countess Verensa. 

His Excellency the Ambassador, from His Majesty 
the King of the Belgians. 

Th3 Baron Holdensen. 

(The movements of the entrances are as follows : — 
The Turkish Ambassador goes to the Duke, then to 
the Countess, ivho remains r. The English 
Ambassador and Lady Stapleton shake hands with 
the 1st and 2nd A.D.C. 's, meet the Turkish Am- 
bassador and go down to the Countess. The 
Count Verensa shakes hands with the 2nd Lady- 
IN- Waiting, the Turkish Ambassador meets 
him c. and briyigs him down l. The Countess 
Verensa meets the 1st A.D.C, then goes r. corner. 



Act III.] A ROYAL FAMILY. 105 

The 1st'A.D.C. goes back. The 3rd A.D.C. meets 
2nd Lad y-in- Waiting and takes her up to throne. 
'•I The Baron Holdensen meets Duke, hoivs to 3rd 
A.D.C, goes r., turns and goes to Verensa.) 

His Excellency the American Ambassador, and 
Mrs. Vanderdyke Q. Cobb. 

Countess, [corning to him and shaking hands 
with the American Ambassador) How do you do, 
Mr. Vanderdyke Cobb ? 

Cobb. How do you do, Countess ? I hear there 
is to be quite an interesting ceremony to-night ? 
{crosses and goes r. and meets Lord Herbert ivith her) 

Countess. Oh, very. Of course you've never 
seen the betrothing of a Princess of Arcacia ? 

Cobb. No. In America it only requires two to 
carry out the business, and any one intruding would 
have a bad time. 

Countess. With us, as soon as a royal wedding is 
arranged, the couple meet — as it weie officially — and 
in the presence of the entire Court, give a formal kiss 
of betrothal. The ceremony was originally instituted 
in the twelfth century. 

Cobb. That's just where you Europeans differ 
from us Americans. You're always busy resuscitat- 
ing the dead-and-gone past, while we're preparing to 
pulverize the future, {general laugh) 

{Announced off. ) His Excellency the Minister from 
the Brazils. 

(The Minister of the Brazils meets Baron Holden- 



106 A ROYAL FAMILY. [Act IIL 

SEN and comes down to 3rd A.D.C. Holdensen 
(joes R. Casino meets Lady Stapleton and goes up.) 

His Serene Highness the Prince of Monte Casinor~ 
His Eminence the Cardinal Casano. 

(Enter Cardinal, l. u. e., followed by Anselm, who 
goes up c.) 

Cardinal. Ah, my dear Lord Herbert, how well 
you're looking ! 

Lord H. Thanks to your heavenly climate. 

(3rd A.D.C. meets Verensa. They look at the crown 
of roses and then go up. Casino meets them and 
follows up with them.) 

Cardinal. Quite an interesting occasion this, 
isn't it ? 

Lord H. Most interesti-ig. My only regret is 
one of j 3alousy. I confess to wishing that so charming 
a Princess had been won by one of our English Princes. 

{During, the new two speeches the characters group 
themselves on the right and left of the stage as follows : — 
Cobb, Mrs. Cobb, Verensa, Lady Stapleton, 
all down l. locking towards entrance l. u. e. The 
remiining number of people all the right of stage, 
also all looking towards l. u. e. as the trumpeters 
enter.) 

Cardinal. Yes, and your Princes make such ad- 
mirable husbands. But I imagine that the run on 



Act III.] A ROYAL PWMILY. 107 

them is so great, that at present, they're all either 
married or engaged. 

Lord H. Yes, they're extremely popular — and un- 
fortunately in these matters, the demand cannot 
create a supply, (goes r.) 

{Four Trumpeters e7iter l. u. e. They form up l. c, 
blou) and step back) 

{Enter Lord Chamberlain, l. u. e., followed by several 
A.D.C.'s and Lords-in- Waiting. The Cardinal 
crosses to extreme right corner.) 
Lord C. (announcing) Her Majesty Queen Fer- 
dinand. 

{Enter, l. u. e., ^Ae Queen-Mother and Suite. All 
bow low. Lord Chamberlain backes down round 
and up c. The suite follow the Queen-Mother. 
1st A.D.C. places chair at the foot of throne steps. 
The Queen-Mother sits. All from r. and l. bow.) 
Queen-M. What miserably feeble trumpets. They 
sound as if I were some obscure Grand Duchess. 

Duke. They are the same trumpeters, ma'am, that 
officiated at His Majesty's Coronation. 

Queen-M. Then they don't improve with age. 
Duke. I deeply regret it, ma'am, and I shall repri- 
mand the Trumpet-Major for his premature decad- 
ence, {he bows and backs right off, l. u. e) 

Lord C. His Koyal Highness, Prince Charles 
Ferdinand. 

{Fanfare of trumpets.) 



108 A ROYAL FAMILY. Act IIL] 

(Enter Prince Charles, follotved by Duke, tvho has 
gone out to meet him.) 

Charles. Oh, Duke, I've forgotten my handker- 
chief. Will you get me one ? 
Duke. Yes, sir. [exit, l. u. e.) 

{The Prince Charles bows to Holdensen and goes 
up to the Queen-Mother, and stands on the throne 
steps. Fanfare of trumpets, and the King atid 
Queen and Suite enter, l., and proceed to dais. 
All bow low. The Duke of Berascon follovjs 
the King to dais and stands at foot of steps.) 

King, [to Lord Chamberlain) My Lord Cham- 
berlain ! We are ready to receive His Royal Highness 
the Crown Prince of Kurland. 

(Lord Chamberlain goes over to opening, l. u. e. 
A fanfare of trumpets,' and enter, l. u. e., ^Ae Crown 
Prince and Suite. The Lord Chamberlain 
presents him to the King and then conducts him to 
l. c. of stage.) 

[The Cardinal advances, bows to the King and Queen, 
comes down r. c. and looks at ^/?e Prince, ivho faces 
the audience.) 

(Enter, r., the Princess Angela an(^ Suite. She is 
very pale and her eyes are on the ground. Ladies 
come down l. and curtsey, after having laid the train 
out. The King leaves the dais and leads Angela to 
the Prince. She extends her hand and he kisses it ; 



Act III. 



A ROYAL FAMILY. 



109 



then, very sloivly their eyes meet. A look of be- 
wilderment comes into Angela's face, then a dawning 
intelligence, and finally with a soft smile her head 
sinks on the Prince's breast.) 



CURTAIN. 




DEC 19 1910 






One copy del. to Cat. Div. 



ntr *-9 <<^ir'. 



